By the grace of Allaah, and with all praise to Him, He has guided me to the path of truth and goodness, and I hope that Allaah will complete His blessing upon me and guide every sinner, and bring the Muslims back to their religion, for He is Able to do that.
I learned from the scholars that repentance is not valid unless I give people back what is rightfully theirs.
I worked in a company nearly ten years ago, and I stole a sum of money, the exact amount of which I cannot remember, but it was no more than one hundred dinars. Returning the money now may cause some problems for me and my family, especially since my family and I are still in touch with the owners of the company. What should I do?
Can I send the money to them via mail without mentioning my name, just writing a letter which says that this money was taken from them unlawfully?.
Praise be to Allaah.
We praise Allaah for having enabled you to repent. It is well known that money is the fitnah (trial) of this ummah, so being enabled to repent from having taken people’s money unlawfully is a great blessing for which you must always thank Allaah.
In order to make your repentance complete you have to return the money to its owners. It is good that you are asking this question. We have already discussed this matter in our answer to question no. 31234, in which it stated that the one who wants to return property to its rightful owners does not have to disclose his identity to them, because the purpose is to restore the property to its rightful owner, not to know who the thief is.
Hence you should look for a suitable way by means of which you can preserve your dignity whilst also returning the property to its rightful owners without embarrassing yourself in front of the owners of this company.
And Allaah knows best.
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Thursday, 22 March 2012
He pilfered some money and does not know how much, and he cannot repay it. What should he do?
During some part of my life I was a sinner, and my problem is that I used to pilfer from the petty cash in the place where I was. After Allaah guided me I became aware of my sin and I started to give back the money I owed. But the problem is that I do not know exactly how much it was. I tried to get the owner of the place to forgive me without mentioning the reason but I could not do it. I do not have any other money that I could use to pay it off. Will Allaah accept my repentance if I cannot return what I owe? If there is anything that I can do, what is it?.
Praise be to Allaah.
What you have to do is to repent to Allaah and return all the money that you took. Your repentance is not complete otherwise. If you do not know the exact amount, then it is sufficient to do what you think is most likely, and be on the safe side [?] when estimating how much you owe. If you are not sure whether the amount is eighty or one hundred, for example, then pay one hundred, so that you will meet your Lord free from the burden of this treachery and wrongdoing. Al-Bukhaari (2449) narrated that Abu Hurayrah (may Allaah be pleased with him) said: The Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “Whoever has wronged his brother with regard to his honour or anything else, let him settle the matter now, before there is no dinar and no dirham, and if he has any righteous deeds some will be taken from him according to the wrong he did, and if he has no hasanaat (good deeds), some of the other person’s sayi’aat (bad deeds) will be taken and given to him.”
Whatever you are unable to repay now is a debt that you owe, and you will not have discharged your duty until you pay it. What you have to do in that case is to make sure that it is mentioned in your will, lest death come upon you suddenly before you can pay it off. Al-Bukhaari (2738) and Muslim (1627) narrated from Ibn ‘Umar that he heard the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) say: “No Muslim who has anything concerning which a will should be made should spend three nights without making a written will.” ‘Abd-Allaah ibn ‘Umar said: I never spent one night since I heard the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) say that but I had my will with me.
We ask Allaah to help you and give you strength.
And Allaah knows best.
Praise be to Allaah.
What you have to do is to repent to Allaah and return all the money that you took. Your repentance is not complete otherwise. If you do not know the exact amount, then it is sufficient to do what you think is most likely, and be on the safe side [?] when estimating how much you owe. If you are not sure whether the amount is eighty or one hundred, for example, then pay one hundred, so that you will meet your Lord free from the burden of this treachery and wrongdoing. Al-Bukhaari (2449) narrated that Abu Hurayrah (may Allaah be pleased with him) said: The Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “Whoever has wronged his brother with regard to his honour or anything else, let him settle the matter now, before there is no dinar and no dirham, and if he has any righteous deeds some will be taken from him according to the wrong he did, and if he has no hasanaat (good deeds), some of the other person’s sayi’aat (bad deeds) will be taken and given to him.”
Whatever you are unable to repay now is a debt that you owe, and you will not have discharged your duty until you pay it. What you have to do in that case is to make sure that it is mentioned in your will, lest death come upon you suddenly before you can pay it off. Al-Bukhaari (2738) and Muslim (1627) narrated from Ibn ‘Umar that he heard the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) say: “No Muslim who has anything concerning which a will should be made should spend three nights without making a written will.” ‘Abd-Allaah ibn ‘Umar said: I never spent one night since I heard the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) say that but I had my will with me.
We ask Allaah to help you and give you strength.
And Allaah knows best.
Practising the secret habit (masturbation) in Ramadaan without ejaculating
When I was a teenager I used to masturbate sometimes during the day in Ramadaan, but I did not let the semen come out of the penis because I blocked it, but I still reached climax.
What is the ruling on my fast, and how can I expiate for this grave sin? Please note that I do not know how many days I did this.
Praise be to Allaah.
It should be noted that this habit is haraam according to sharee’ah, as is indicated in the Book of Allaah and the Sunnah of His Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him). We have already quoted the evidence in detail in question no 329. This habit is something that is repulsive to sound human nature and reason, and it is not befitting for a Muslim to lower himself to this level.
It should also be noted that sin has negative consequences a person, in this world and in the Hereafter, if he does not repent and if Allaah does not bestow His mercy upon him. We have already discussed this in the following questions: 23425, 8861, 45040.
With regard to the ruling on the matter mentioned in the question, if you engaged in the secret habit but no semen came out as a result, then the fast is not invalidated, according to the most sound scholarly opinion, because what matters is the emission of semen. If it did come out then the fast was invalidated and it has to be made up. If it did not come out then the fast is not invalidated. But whatever the case you have to repent to Allaah and seek His forgiveness for wasting the fast by doing such things.
Semen may be emitted a short while later even if you prevented it from coming out. In that case the fast of that day is invalidated and you have to make it up. If you do not know how many days your fast was invalidated, then try to work it out until you reach a figure you think is most likely, then make up the days that you owe.
Shaykh Ibn ‘Uthaymeen said in Sharh Zaad al-Mustaqni’: Is it possible for semen to move without being emitted?
Yes, that is possible, when a person’s desire subsides for some reason, then semen does not come out.
And they gave another example: if a person holds his penis so that no semen comes out. Even though the fuqaha’ gave this as an example, it is very harmful. The fuqaha’ (may Allaah have mercy on them) gave something as an example regardless of how harmful or not it may be. But usually in such cases the semen is released after the person lets go of his penis.
Some of the scholars said that ghusl is not required if the semen moves. This is the view favoured by Shaykh al-Islam and is the correct view. The evidence for that is as follows:
1 – The hadeeth of Umm Salamah in which it says: “Yes, if she sees water.” He did not say, If she feels it moving. If ghusl were required when it moves, then he (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) would have pointed it out because there would have been a need to do so.
2 – The hadeeth of Abu Sa’eed al-Khudri: “Water is for water.” In this case there is no water (i.e., emission). So this hadeeth indicates that if there is no water (emission) there is no need for water (ghusl).
3 – The basic principle is that the person remains pure (taahir) and no ghusl is required. This principle cannot be changed unless there is evidence to that effect.
Al-Sharh al-Mumti’, 1/280
See also: al-Furoo’, 1/197; al-Mabsoot, 1/67; al-Mughni, 1/128; al-Majmoo’, 2/159; al-Mawsoo’ah al-Fiqhiyyah al-Kuwaitiyyah, 4/99
See also questions no. 38074 and 2571.
And Allaah knows best.
What is the ruling on my fast, and how can I expiate for this grave sin? Please note that I do not know how many days I did this.
Praise be to Allaah.
It should be noted that this habit is haraam according to sharee’ah, as is indicated in the Book of Allaah and the Sunnah of His Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him). We have already quoted the evidence in detail in question no 329. This habit is something that is repulsive to sound human nature and reason, and it is not befitting for a Muslim to lower himself to this level.
It should also be noted that sin has negative consequences a person, in this world and in the Hereafter, if he does not repent and if Allaah does not bestow His mercy upon him. We have already discussed this in the following questions: 23425, 8861, 45040.
With regard to the ruling on the matter mentioned in the question, if you engaged in the secret habit but no semen came out as a result, then the fast is not invalidated, according to the most sound scholarly opinion, because what matters is the emission of semen. If it did come out then the fast was invalidated and it has to be made up. If it did not come out then the fast is not invalidated. But whatever the case you have to repent to Allaah and seek His forgiveness for wasting the fast by doing such things.
Semen may be emitted a short while later even if you prevented it from coming out. In that case the fast of that day is invalidated and you have to make it up. If you do not know how many days your fast was invalidated, then try to work it out until you reach a figure you think is most likely, then make up the days that you owe.
Shaykh Ibn ‘Uthaymeen said in Sharh Zaad al-Mustaqni’: Is it possible for semen to move without being emitted?
Yes, that is possible, when a person’s desire subsides for some reason, then semen does not come out.
And they gave another example: if a person holds his penis so that no semen comes out. Even though the fuqaha’ gave this as an example, it is very harmful. The fuqaha’ (may Allaah have mercy on them) gave something as an example regardless of how harmful or not it may be. But usually in such cases the semen is released after the person lets go of his penis.
Some of the scholars said that ghusl is not required if the semen moves. This is the view favoured by Shaykh al-Islam and is the correct view. The evidence for that is as follows:
1 – The hadeeth of Umm Salamah in which it says: “Yes, if she sees water.” He did not say, If she feels it moving. If ghusl were required when it moves, then he (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) would have pointed it out because there would have been a need to do so.
2 – The hadeeth of Abu Sa’eed al-Khudri: “Water is for water.” In this case there is no water (i.e., emission). So this hadeeth indicates that if there is no water (emission) there is no need for water (ghusl).
3 – The basic principle is that the person remains pure (taahir) and no ghusl is required. This principle cannot be changed unless there is evidence to that effect.
Al-Sharh al-Mumti’, 1/280
See also: al-Furoo’, 1/197; al-Mabsoot, 1/67; al-Mughni, 1/128; al-Majmoo’, 2/159; al-Mawsoo’ah al-Fiqhiyyah al-Kuwaitiyyah, 4/99
See also questions no. 38074 and 2571.
And Allaah knows best.
Practising the secret habit (masturbation) in Ramadaan
I have a friend who told me that he had practised the secret habit in Ramadaan and asked me: what is the ruling on that? After Ramadaan ended he made up that day – what is the ruling?.
Praise be to Allaah.
Your friend has to realize that that this habit is haraam according to sharee’ah, as is indicated in the Book of Allaah and the Sunnah of His Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him). We have already quoted the evidence in detail in question no 329. This habit is something that is repulsive to sound human nature and reason, and it is not befitting for a Muslim to lower himself to this level.
It should also be noted that sin has negative consequences a person, in this world and in the Hereafter, if he does not repent and if Allaah does not bestow His mercy upon him. We have already discussed this in the following questions: 23425, 8861 .
This habit has many harmful effects, such as weakening the body, and increasing the gulf between a person and his Lord. It is one of the major factors in depression.
With regard to the matter mentioned in the question, if he ejaculated as a result of masturbation then his fast is invalidated and he has sinned; he has to refrain from eating and drinking for the rest of the day, and he also has to make up that day.
We have already discussed this in detail in the answer to questions no. 38074 and 2571. And Allaah knows best.
Praise be to Allaah.
Your friend has to realize that that this habit is haraam according to sharee’ah, as is indicated in the Book of Allaah and the Sunnah of His Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him). We have already quoted the evidence in detail in question no 329. This habit is something that is repulsive to sound human nature and reason, and it is not befitting for a Muslim to lower himself to this level.
It should also be noted that sin has negative consequences a person, in this world and in the Hereafter, if he does not repent and if Allaah does not bestow His mercy upon him. We have already discussed this in the following questions: 23425, 8861 .
This habit has many harmful effects, such as weakening the body, and increasing the gulf between a person and his Lord. It is one of the major factors in depression.
With regard to the matter mentioned in the question, if he ejaculated as a result of masturbation then his fast is invalidated and he has sinned; he has to refrain from eating and drinking for the rest of the day, and he also has to make up that day.
We have already discussed this in detail in the answer to questions no. 38074 and 2571. And Allaah knows best.
A Christian asking about repentance
If a man decides after a life of sinfulness to come to God and promise to reform his life, I understand that Islam says that he will be forgiven and therefore inherit the promises etc. My questions though is what has happened to the weight of this man's sin, as in sinning he has offended God and therefore this sin has to be atoned for, who is going to atone for his sin, if God is just going to forgive him on the promise of his being good and faithful? Surely as we saw with Adam there has to be a consequence for sin....
Praise be to Allaah.
Praise be to Allaah Who has guided us to Islam, for we would not have been guided had He not guided us.
First of all, we thank you for your question, and we ask Allaah to bless you with guidance.
Allaah has created us for a great purpose, which is to worship Him Alone with no partner or associate. Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):
“And I (Allaah) created not the jinn and mankind except that they should worship Me (Alone)”
[al-Dhaariyaat 51:56]
This is the purpose of life: to worship Allaah alone.
So Allaah has not created us to eat and drink… or to relax and play… or to strive and work hard… rather He has created us to worship Him and not to be ungrateful to Him; to remember him and not forget Him.
This is the purpose of life, and what a beautiful purpose it is. When man lives to worship his Lord and Master, to serve His religion and establish His command, with his body on earth and his heart with Allaah and the Hereafter, then he understands the reality of this life and how insignificant this world is, and that what is left of this life should not be wasted in passing pleasures and temporary desires. O Allaah, bless us with Your guidance.
Because worship requires explanation and guidance, Allaah sent His Messengers:
“Messengers as bearers of good news as well as of warning in order that mankind should have no plea against Allaah after the (coming of) Messengers”
[al-Nisa’ 4:165]
Whoever submits is guided, and whoever turns away is doomed and lost.
Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):
“Verily, proofs have come to you from your Lord, so whosoever sees, will do so for (the good of) his ownself, and whosoever blinds himself, will do so to his own harm, and I (Muhammad) am not a watcher over you”
[al-An’aam 6:104]
If a person submits (becomes Muslim), he has chosen happiness for himself:
“And whosoever has embraced Islam (i.e. has become a Muslim by submitting to Allaah), then such have sought the Right Path”
[al-Jinn 72:14 – interpretation of the meaning]
Because man is vulnerable to making mistakes and forgetting, and to falling into sin, Allaah has prescribed repentance for His slaves and has opened the door of repentance until the Hour begins, and He invites His slaves to repent sincerely. Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):
“O you who believe! Turn to Allaah with sincere repentance! It may be that your Lord will expiate from you your sins, and admit you into Gardens under which rivers flow (Paradise)…”
[al-Tahreem 66:8]
“And all of you beg Allaah to forgive you all, O believers, that you may be successful”
[al-Noor 24:31]
See also question no. 14289.
It should be noted that sins are of two types:
1 – Transgressions against the rights of Allaah.
2 – Transgressions against the rights of created beings.
With regard to the first type:
Transgressions against the rights of Allaah – such as adultery, drinking alcohol, neglecting obligatory duties such as prayer, zakaah, etc. These sins are punishable according to sharee’ah, such as adultery and drinking, for which the hadd punishment is to be carried out on the one who does them, and that is an expiation and a purification for him. If the hadd punishment is not carried out on him, but he repents to Allaah, then Allaah will accept his repentance and turn his bad deeds (sayi’aat) into good deeds (hasanaat).
Whoever meets Allaah with these sins, without having repented or had the hadd punishment carried out on him, is subject to the will of Allaah on the Day of Resurrection: if He wills He will punish him and if He wills He will forgive him.
Al-Bukhaari (18) and Muslim (1709) narrated from ‘Ubaadah ibn al-Saamit (may Allaah be pleased with him) – who was present at the Battle of Badr and was one of the prominent figures on the night of al-‘Aqabah – that the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said, when there was a group of his companions around him: “Give me your oath of allegiance (bay’ah), pledging that you will not associate anything with Allaah, you will not steal, you will not commit adultery, you will not kill your children, you will not fabricate lies and you will not disobey with regard to anything that is right and proper. If you fulfil that, your reward will be with Allaah, but whoever commits any of these actions, his punishment will be in this world and it will be an expiation for him. Whoever does any of these things then Allaah conceals him, it will be up to Allaah: if He wills He will forgive him and if He wills He will punish him.” So they gave their oath of allegiance to him on that basis.
According to a report narrated by al-Bukhaari (6416): “Whoever does any of these things will be punished in this world and that will be an expiation for him and a purification.”
Al-Haafiz said in al-Fath (1/68): It is understood from this hadeeth that carrying out the hadd punishment is an expiation for sin, even if the person who is punished does not repent. This is the view of the majority of scholars…
Ahmad (1365) narrated that ‘Ali (may Allaah be pleased with him) said: The Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “Whoever commits a sin in this world and is punished for it, Allaah is too just to punish His slave a second time. Whoever commits a sin in this world then Allaah conceals that and forgives him, Allaah is too generous to go back to something that He has forgiven.”
This hadeeth was classed as hasan by al-Arnaa’oot in Tahqeeq al-Musnad, and al-Haafiz classed a similar report from al-Tabaraani as hasan.
Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):
“And those who invoke not any other ilaah (god) along with Allaah, nor kill such person as Allaah has forbidden, except for just cause, nor commit illegal sexual intercourse and whoever does this shall receive the punishment.
The torment will be doubled to him on the Day of Resurrection, and he will abide therein in disgrace;
Except those who repent and believe (in Islamic Monotheism), and do righteous deeds; for those, Allaah will change their sins into good deeds, and Allaah is Oft‑Forgiving, Most Merciful”
[al-Furqaan 25:68-70]
“Verily, Allaah forgives not (the sin of) setting up partners (in worship) with Him, but He forgives whom He wills, sins other than that, and whoever sets up partners in worship with Allaah, has indeed strayed far away.”
[al-Nisa’ 4:116]
This verse has to do with the one who does not repent. He is subject to the will of Allaah, unless he commits shirk (the sin of associating other with Allaah), because shirk cannot be forgiven.
With regard to the second type of sins:
Transgressions against the rights of people, such as transgressing against their wealth by stealing it or seizing it by force, etc., or transgressing against their honour by means of gossip and slander, or harming them physically by striking them, etc. Repentance from this type of sin is subject to the condition that the rights be restored to the people, or they agree to forgive the offender.
Whoever does not do that will remain subject to the effects of his sin until the Day of Resurrection, when an amount commensurate with his offence will be taken from his good deeds (hasanaat), as the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “Whoever has wronged anyone with regard to his honour or anything else, let him settle the matter today before there is no dinar and no dirham, and if he has any righteous deeds, an amount commensurate with his wrongdoing will be taken from him, and if he has no good deeds (to his credit) some of the bad deeds of his companion will be taken and added to his burden.” Narrated by al-Bukhaari, 2317.
From this we know that the view that the sinner must be punished in this world is a view for which there is no evidence, but if a person is punished (in this world) that will be an expiation for him, and if he is not punished then he repents from his sin, Allaah will accept his repentance.
Even more false than this is the view of those who say that the punishment for sin may be borne by someone other than the sinner, as some ignorant people say concerning Adam (peace be upon him), claiming that his progeny – including the Prophets – bore the burden of his sin until God sent down His only son to be crucified and slain to free the world of sin! This is a lie and a fabrication against Allaah and against His Prophets, and is a kind of injustice of which the divinely-revealed laws are free, because Allaah does not punish anyone for the sins of another. Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):
“And no bearer of burdens shall bear another’s burden”
[Faatir 35:18]
Allaah is too merciful and too just to punish the offspring for the sins of their father, especially since he repented and Allaah accepted his repentance.
Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):
“Then the Shaytaan (Satan) made them slip therefrom (the Paradise), and got them out from that in which they were. We said: ‘Get you down, all, with enmity between yourselves. On earth will be a dwelling place for you and an enjoyment for a time.’
Then Adam received from his Lord Words. And his Lord pardoned him (accepted his repentance). Verily, He is the One Who forgives (accepts repentance), the Most Merciful”
[al-Baqarah 2:36-37]
“Then they both ate of the tree, and so their private parts became manifest to them, and they began to cover themselves with the leaves of the Paradise for their covering. Thus did Adam disobey his Lord, so he went astray.
Then his Lord chose him, and turned to him with forgiveness, and gave him guidance”
[Ta-Ha 20:121-122]
So two things apply in the case of Adam: he was punished for his sin, and he repented from it and Allaah accepted his repentance, and He chose him and honoured him.
The point is that whoever lives a life filled with disobedience and sin only has to turn to his Lord, the most Merciful and Most Generous, and seek His forgiveness and repent, in order for Allaah to accept his repentance, as Allaah has promised (interpretation of the meaning):
“Say: O ‘Ibaadi (My slaves) who have transgressed against themselves (by committing evil deeds and sins)! Despair not of the Mercy of Allaah, verily, Allaah forgives all sins. Truly, He is Oft‑Forgiving, Most Merciful”
[al-Zumar 39:53]
This is part of the kindness that Allaah has made in this tolerant sharee’ah. It was decreed for the Children of Israel that the innocent among them kill the wrongdoers so that their repentance would be accepted [cf. al-Baqarah 2:54], then Allaah lifted this heavy burden from this nation on whom He has had mercy.
Finally we ask Allaah to bless the questioner and guide him and open his heart to Islam, so that he may become a member of the Muslim ummah (nation) which accepts Allaah as its Lord, Islam as its religion and Muhammad as its Prophet.
And Allaah knows best.
Praise be to Allaah.
Praise be to Allaah Who has guided us to Islam, for we would not have been guided had He not guided us.
First of all, we thank you for your question, and we ask Allaah to bless you with guidance.
Allaah has created us for a great purpose, which is to worship Him Alone with no partner or associate. Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):
“And I (Allaah) created not the jinn and mankind except that they should worship Me (Alone)”
[al-Dhaariyaat 51:56]
This is the purpose of life: to worship Allaah alone.
So Allaah has not created us to eat and drink… or to relax and play… or to strive and work hard… rather He has created us to worship Him and not to be ungrateful to Him; to remember him and not forget Him.
This is the purpose of life, and what a beautiful purpose it is. When man lives to worship his Lord and Master, to serve His religion and establish His command, with his body on earth and his heart with Allaah and the Hereafter, then he understands the reality of this life and how insignificant this world is, and that what is left of this life should not be wasted in passing pleasures and temporary desires. O Allaah, bless us with Your guidance.
Because worship requires explanation and guidance, Allaah sent His Messengers:
“Messengers as bearers of good news as well as of warning in order that mankind should have no plea against Allaah after the (coming of) Messengers”
[al-Nisa’ 4:165]
Whoever submits is guided, and whoever turns away is doomed and lost.
Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):
“Verily, proofs have come to you from your Lord, so whosoever sees, will do so for (the good of) his ownself, and whosoever blinds himself, will do so to his own harm, and I (Muhammad) am not a watcher over you”
[al-An’aam 6:104]
If a person submits (becomes Muslim), he has chosen happiness for himself:
“And whosoever has embraced Islam (i.e. has become a Muslim by submitting to Allaah), then such have sought the Right Path”
[al-Jinn 72:14 – interpretation of the meaning]
Because man is vulnerable to making mistakes and forgetting, and to falling into sin, Allaah has prescribed repentance for His slaves and has opened the door of repentance until the Hour begins, and He invites His slaves to repent sincerely. Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):
“O you who believe! Turn to Allaah with sincere repentance! It may be that your Lord will expiate from you your sins, and admit you into Gardens under which rivers flow (Paradise)…”
[al-Tahreem 66:8]
“And all of you beg Allaah to forgive you all, O believers, that you may be successful”
[al-Noor 24:31]
See also question no. 14289.
It should be noted that sins are of two types:
1 – Transgressions against the rights of Allaah.
2 – Transgressions against the rights of created beings.
With regard to the first type:
Transgressions against the rights of Allaah – such as adultery, drinking alcohol, neglecting obligatory duties such as prayer, zakaah, etc. These sins are punishable according to sharee’ah, such as adultery and drinking, for which the hadd punishment is to be carried out on the one who does them, and that is an expiation and a purification for him. If the hadd punishment is not carried out on him, but he repents to Allaah, then Allaah will accept his repentance and turn his bad deeds (sayi’aat) into good deeds (hasanaat).
Whoever meets Allaah with these sins, without having repented or had the hadd punishment carried out on him, is subject to the will of Allaah on the Day of Resurrection: if He wills He will punish him and if He wills He will forgive him.
Al-Bukhaari (18) and Muslim (1709) narrated from ‘Ubaadah ibn al-Saamit (may Allaah be pleased with him) – who was present at the Battle of Badr and was one of the prominent figures on the night of al-‘Aqabah – that the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said, when there was a group of his companions around him: “Give me your oath of allegiance (bay’ah), pledging that you will not associate anything with Allaah, you will not steal, you will not commit adultery, you will not kill your children, you will not fabricate lies and you will not disobey with regard to anything that is right and proper. If you fulfil that, your reward will be with Allaah, but whoever commits any of these actions, his punishment will be in this world and it will be an expiation for him. Whoever does any of these things then Allaah conceals him, it will be up to Allaah: if He wills He will forgive him and if He wills He will punish him.” So they gave their oath of allegiance to him on that basis.
According to a report narrated by al-Bukhaari (6416): “Whoever does any of these things will be punished in this world and that will be an expiation for him and a purification.”
Al-Haafiz said in al-Fath (1/68): It is understood from this hadeeth that carrying out the hadd punishment is an expiation for sin, even if the person who is punished does not repent. This is the view of the majority of scholars…
Ahmad (1365) narrated that ‘Ali (may Allaah be pleased with him) said: The Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “Whoever commits a sin in this world and is punished for it, Allaah is too just to punish His slave a second time. Whoever commits a sin in this world then Allaah conceals that and forgives him, Allaah is too generous to go back to something that He has forgiven.”
This hadeeth was classed as hasan by al-Arnaa’oot in Tahqeeq al-Musnad, and al-Haafiz classed a similar report from al-Tabaraani as hasan.
Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):
“And those who invoke not any other ilaah (god) along with Allaah, nor kill such person as Allaah has forbidden, except for just cause, nor commit illegal sexual intercourse and whoever does this shall receive the punishment.
The torment will be doubled to him on the Day of Resurrection, and he will abide therein in disgrace;
Except those who repent and believe (in Islamic Monotheism), and do righteous deeds; for those, Allaah will change their sins into good deeds, and Allaah is Oft‑Forgiving, Most Merciful”
[al-Furqaan 25:68-70]
“Verily, Allaah forgives not (the sin of) setting up partners (in worship) with Him, but He forgives whom He wills, sins other than that, and whoever sets up partners in worship with Allaah, has indeed strayed far away.”
[al-Nisa’ 4:116]
This verse has to do with the one who does not repent. He is subject to the will of Allaah, unless he commits shirk (the sin of associating other with Allaah), because shirk cannot be forgiven.
With regard to the second type of sins:
Transgressions against the rights of people, such as transgressing against their wealth by stealing it or seizing it by force, etc., or transgressing against their honour by means of gossip and slander, or harming them physically by striking them, etc. Repentance from this type of sin is subject to the condition that the rights be restored to the people, or they agree to forgive the offender.
Whoever does not do that will remain subject to the effects of his sin until the Day of Resurrection, when an amount commensurate with his offence will be taken from his good deeds (hasanaat), as the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “Whoever has wronged anyone with regard to his honour or anything else, let him settle the matter today before there is no dinar and no dirham, and if he has any righteous deeds, an amount commensurate with his wrongdoing will be taken from him, and if he has no good deeds (to his credit) some of the bad deeds of his companion will be taken and added to his burden.” Narrated by al-Bukhaari, 2317.
From this we know that the view that the sinner must be punished in this world is a view for which there is no evidence, but if a person is punished (in this world) that will be an expiation for him, and if he is not punished then he repents from his sin, Allaah will accept his repentance.
Even more false than this is the view of those who say that the punishment for sin may be borne by someone other than the sinner, as some ignorant people say concerning Adam (peace be upon him), claiming that his progeny – including the Prophets – bore the burden of his sin until God sent down His only son to be crucified and slain to free the world of sin! This is a lie and a fabrication against Allaah and against His Prophets, and is a kind of injustice of which the divinely-revealed laws are free, because Allaah does not punish anyone for the sins of another. Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):
“And no bearer of burdens shall bear another’s burden”
[Faatir 35:18]
Allaah is too merciful and too just to punish the offspring for the sins of their father, especially since he repented and Allaah accepted his repentance.
Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):
“Then the Shaytaan (Satan) made them slip therefrom (the Paradise), and got them out from that in which they were. We said: ‘Get you down, all, with enmity between yourselves. On earth will be a dwelling place for you and an enjoyment for a time.’
Then Adam received from his Lord Words. And his Lord pardoned him (accepted his repentance). Verily, He is the One Who forgives (accepts repentance), the Most Merciful”
[al-Baqarah 2:36-37]
“Then they both ate of the tree, and so their private parts became manifest to them, and they began to cover themselves with the leaves of the Paradise for their covering. Thus did Adam disobey his Lord, so he went astray.
Then his Lord chose him, and turned to him with forgiveness, and gave him guidance”
[Ta-Ha 20:121-122]
So two things apply in the case of Adam: he was punished for his sin, and he repented from it and Allaah accepted his repentance, and He chose him and honoured him.
The point is that whoever lives a life filled with disobedience and sin only has to turn to his Lord, the most Merciful and Most Generous, and seek His forgiveness and repent, in order for Allaah to accept his repentance, as Allaah has promised (interpretation of the meaning):
“Say: O ‘Ibaadi (My slaves) who have transgressed against themselves (by committing evil deeds and sins)! Despair not of the Mercy of Allaah, verily, Allaah forgives all sins. Truly, He is Oft‑Forgiving, Most Merciful”
[al-Zumar 39:53]
This is part of the kindness that Allaah has made in this tolerant sharee’ah. It was decreed for the Children of Israel that the innocent among them kill the wrongdoers so that their repentance would be accepted [cf. al-Baqarah 2:54], then Allaah lifted this heavy burden from this nation on whom He has had mercy.
Finally we ask Allaah to bless the questioner and guide him and open his heart to Islam, so that he may become a member of the Muslim ummah (nation) which accepts Allaah as its Lord, Islam as its religion and Muhammad as its Prophet.
And Allaah knows best.
Is it possible to return to this world to do righteous deeds?
My sister is dying, and she probably will not live through next month; only Allaah (SWT) knows. She has done many things in her life that she has bitterly regretted and sincerely repented for, and she is always wishing she could go back in time and correct the past. She told me she wants to know one thing before she dies: Will those who are blessed by Allah's mercy and granted the eternal Jannah, since they will be given anything and everything their heart so wishes in the Hereafter, be able to somehow go back in time, back into the earthly past by Allaah's leave and correct their own and others' grave worldly mistakes and wrongdoings, by having their own special personal world in Jannah? Allaah (SWT) has said about the believers' Jannah: "I have prepared for My righteous servants that which no eye has seen, no ear has heard, and it has not crossed the mind of man. Recite, if you wish: ‘No person knows what is kept hidden for them of joy’". Allaah (SWT) will give those who dwell in Jannah rewards that they have not ever even dreamed of; therefore, will He give them that which had crossed their minds in this life but could not have, and my sister's wish in particular? Please, please answer as quickly as possible. This is terribly distressing to my sister, and she most likely will not live past the next few weeks. Only Allaah (SWT) knows. Please help, and may Allaah (SWT) bless you in this life and the next.
Praise be to Allaah.
Firstly:
You should note, may Allaah bless you, that people’s life spans are in the hand of Allaah, Who says (interpretation of the meaning):
“For everything there is a time prescribed”
[al-Ra’d 13:38 - Pickthall]
“and no person knows in what land he will die”
[Luqmaan 31:34]
It is not possible for anyone to know when he will die; it is only speculation which may be proven true or may be proven false.
Sickness – for example – does not mean that a person will die soon, just as being young and strong does not mean that a person will live for a long time.
How often have people assumed that a sick person will die soon, then he has lived for a long time. And how often has death come suddenly to a healthy person.
The poet spoke the truth when he said:
Equip yourself with piety, for you do not know, when night comes, whether you will live till dawn.
How many young men laugh in the evening and the morning, when their shrouds have been prepared but they do not realize?
How often do people hope for a long life for young people, then their bodies enter the darkness of the grave.
How many brides have been adorned for their grooms, when it has been decreed on Laylat al-Qadar that their souls are to be taken.
How many healthy people have died for no reason, and how many sick people lived for a long time.
What is required of the believer is to prepare for death at any time, by repenting to Allaah and doing righteous deeds. Ibn Maajah (4259) narrated that Ibn ‘Umar said: I was with the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) when a man from among the Ansaar came to him and greeted the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) with salaam, then he said: “O Messenger of Allaah, which of the believers is best?” He said: “The one who is best in attitude.” He said: “Which of the believers is most wise?” He said: “The one who remembers death the most, and is best prepared for what comes after it. Those are the wise.” Al-Iraaqi said: its isnaad is jayyid. It was classed as hasan by al-Albaani in Saheeh Ibn Maajah.
Praise be to Allaah Who has guided your sister to repent and to regret what she has done in the past.
We send her the glad tidings that if she is sincere in her repentance, then Allaah will accept her repentance and will turn her bad deeds into good deeds. Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):
“Except those who repent and believe (in Islamic Monotheism), and do righteous deeds; for those, Allaah will change their sins into good deeds, and Allaah is Oft‑Forgiving, Most Merciful”
[al-Furqaan 25:70]
See also question no. 14289
Secondly:
When the believer enters Paradise, Allaah will give him all that he wishes for, and more than he wishes for. Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):
“Trays of gold and cups will be passed round them; (there will be) therein all that inner‑selves could desire, and all that eyes could delight in and you will abide therein forever”
[al-Zukhruf 43:71]
Al-Bukhaari (806) narrated from Abu Hurayrah and Abu Sa’eed al-Khudri (may Allaah be pleased with them) in a lengthy hadeeth that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) told them of the last of the people of Paradise to be admitted to Paradise. Allaah will say to him:
“Tell Me your wishes.” So he will say all that he wishes for, and Allaah will prompt him to mention other wishes and when he cannot wish for any more, Allah will say “You will have that and a similar amount besides.” Abu Sa’eed al-Khudri (may Allaah be pleased with him) said to Abu Hurayrah, The Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said, “Allaah said, ‘You will have that and ten times more.’” Abu Hurayrah said, “I only remember the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) saying, ‘You will have that and a similar amount besides.’” Abu Sa’eed said, “I heard him saying, ‘You will have that and ten times more.’”
But if a believer wishes to go back to this world then he will not be granted that, because Allaah has decreed that no one will go back to this world.
Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):
“And a ban is laid on every town (population) which We have destroyed that they shall not return (to this world again, nor repent to Us)”
[al-Anbiya’ 21:95]
i.e., the people of the towns that Allaah has destroyed will wish to go back to this world so that they can make up for what they missed.
See Tafseer al-Sa’di, 868.
Al-Bukhaari (2817) and Muslim (1877) narrated that Anas ibn Maalik said: The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “No one who enters Paradise will wish to come back to this world, even if he were to be given all that it contains, except for the martyr, who will wish that he could come back and killed ten times because of the honour that he sees.”
But that wish will not be granted to him.
Al-Tirmidhi (3010) and Ibn Maajah (190) narrated that Jaabir ibn ‘Abd-Allaah ibn Haraam said: “The Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) met me on the day of Uhud and said: ‘O Jaabir, shall I not tell you what Allaah said to your father?’ I said: ‘Yes, O Messenger of Allaah.’ He said: ‘Allaah has never spoken to anyone except from behind a screen, but He spoke to your father directly and said: “O My slave, ask something from Me and I shall give it to you.” He said, “O Lord, bring me back to life so that I may be killed for Your sake a second time.” The Lord, may He be glorified, said: “I have already decreed that they will not return to life.” He said, “My Lord, then convey (this news) to those whom I have left behind.” Allaah said:
“Think not of those as dead who are killed in the way of Allaah. Nay, they are alive, with their Lord, and they have provision”
[Aal ‘Imraan 3:169].’”
Classed as saheeh by al-Albaani in Saheeh Ibn Maajah.
We ask Allaah to bless your sister and all the Muslims with sincere repentance.
And Allaah knows best.
Praise be to Allaah.
Firstly:
You should note, may Allaah bless you, that people’s life spans are in the hand of Allaah, Who says (interpretation of the meaning):
“For everything there is a time prescribed”
[al-Ra’d 13:38 - Pickthall]
“and no person knows in what land he will die”
[Luqmaan 31:34]
It is not possible for anyone to know when he will die; it is only speculation which may be proven true or may be proven false.
Sickness – for example – does not mean that a person will die soon, just as being young and strong does not mean that a person will live for a long time.
How often have people assumed that a sick person will die soon, then he has lived for a long time. And how often has death come suddenly to a healthy person.
The poet spoke the truth when he said:
Equip yourself with piety, for you do not know, when night comes, whether you will live till dawn.
How many young men laugh in the evening and the morning, when their shrouds have been prepared but they do not realize?
How often do people hope for a long life for young people, then their bodies enter the darkness of the grave.
How many brides have been adorned for their grooms, when it has been decreed on Laylat al-Qadar that their souls are to be taken.
How many healthy people have died for no reason, and how many sick people lived for a long time.
What is required of the believer is to prepare for death at any time, by repenting to Allaah and doing righteous deeds. Ibn Maajah (4259) narrated that Ibn ‘Umar said: I was with the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) when a man from among the Ansaar came to him and greeted the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) with salaam, then he said: “O Messenger of Allaah, which of the believers is best?” He said: “The one who is best in attitude.” He said: “Which of the believers is most wise?” He said: “The one who remembers death the most, and is best prepared for what comes after it. Those are the wise.” Al-Iraaqi said: its isnaad is jayyid. It was classed as hasan by al-Albaani in Saheeh Ibn Maajah.
Praise be to Allaah Who has guided your sister to repent and to regret what she has done in the past.
We send her the glad tidings that if she is sincere in her repentance, then Allaah will accept her repentance and will turn her bad deeds into good deeds. Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):
“Except those who repent and believe (in Islamic Monotheism), and do righteous deeds; for those, Allaah will change their sins into good deeds, and Allaah is Oft‑Forgiving, Most Merciful”
[al-Furqaan 25:70]
See also question no. 14289
Secondly:
When the believer enters Paradise, Allaah will give him all that he wishes for, and more than he wishes for. Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):
“Trays of gold and cups will be passed round them; (there will be) therein all that inner‑selves could desire, and all that eyes could delight in and you will abide therein forever”
[al-Zukhruf 43:71]
Al-Bukhaari (806) narrated from Abu Hurayrah and Abu Sa’eed al-Khudri (may Allaah be pleased with them) in a lengthy hadeeth that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) told them of the last of the people of Paradise to be admitted to Paradise. Allaah will say to him:
“Tell Me your wishes.” So he will say all that he wishes for, and Allaah will prompt him to mention other wishes and when he cannot wish for any more, Allah will say “You will have that and a similar amount besides.” Abu Sa’eed al-Khudri (may Allaah be pleased with him) said to Abu Hurayrah, The Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said, “Allaah said, ‘You will have that and ten times more.’” Abu Hurayrah said, “I only remember the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) saying, ‘You will have that and a similar amount besides.’” Abu Sa’eed said, “I heard him saying, ‘You will have that and ten times more.’”
But if a believer wishes to go back to this world then he will not be granted that, because Allaah has decreed that no one will go back to this world.
Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):
“And a ban is laid on every town (population) which We have destroyed that they shall not return (to this world again, nor repent to Us)”
[al-Anbiya’ 21:95]
i.e., the people of the towns that Allaah has destroyed will wish to go back to this world so that they can make up for what they missed.
See Tafseer al-Sa’di, 868.
Al-Bukhaari (2817) and Muslim (1877) narrated that Anas ibn Maalik said: The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “No one who enters Paradise will wish to come back to this world, even if he were to be given all that it contains, except for the martyr, who will wish that he could come back and killed ten times because of the honour that he sees.”
But that wish will not be granted to him.
Al-Tirmidhi (3010) and Ibn Maajah (190) narrated that Jaabir ibn ‘Abd-Allaah ibn Haraam said: “The Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) met me on the day of Uhud and said: ‘O Jaabir, shall I not tell you what Allaah said to your father?’ I said: ‘Yes, O Messenger of Allaah.’ He said: ‘Allaah has never spoken to anyone except from behind a screen, but He spoke to your father directly and said: “O My slave, ask something from Me and I shall give it to you.” He said, “O Lord, bring me back to life so that I may be killed for Your sake a second time.” The Lord, may He be glorified, said: “I have already decreed that they will not return to life.” He said, “My Lord, then convey (this news) to those whom I have left behind.” Allaah said:
“Think not of those as dead who are killed in the way of Allaah. Nay, they are alive, with their Lord, and they have provision”
[Aal ‘Imraan 3:169].’”
Classed as saheeh by al-Albaani in Saheeh Ibn Maajah.
We ask Allaah to bless your sister and all the Muslims with sincere repentance.
And Allaah knows best.
Is it permissible for one who has committed zina (fornication or adultery) to get married after he or she has repented?
I am a muslim that converted about three years ago. I am still learning and I have a question. I have been told that if I had sex after I converted I would not be able to islamically get married under the ways of islam. I wanted to know if this is true and if it is, is there any way to correct the deed that I am so very sorry for.
Praise be to Allaah.
The one who has committed zina (fornication or adultery) has to repent, because zina is one of the major sins which are forbidden in Islam and for which a stern warning is issued to the one who does them. Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):
“And those who invoke not any other ilaah (god) along with Allaah, nor kill such person as Allaah has forbidden, except for just cause, nor commit illegal sexual intercourse and whoever does this shall receive the punishment.
The torment will be doubled to him on the Day of Resurrection, and he will abide therein in disgrace”
[al-Furqaan 25:68-69]
The punishment must be carried out in this world on the one who has committed zina (fornication or adultery), as Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):
“The fornicatress and the fornicator, flog each of them with a hundred stripes. Let not pity withhold you in their case, in a punishment prescribed by Allaah, if you believe in Allaah and the Last Day. And let a party of the believers witness their punishment”
[al-Noor 24:2]
It was narrated in a hadeeth from the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him): “Receive (teaching) from me, receive (teaching) from me. Allaah has ordained a way for those (women). When an unmarried male commits adultery with an unmarried female, (they should receive) one hundred lashes and banishment for one year. And in the case of a married male committing adultery with a married female, they shall receive one hundred lashes and be stoned to death.”
(Narrated by Muslim, al-Hudood, 3199).
Allaah has forbidden the believers to marry a person who commits zina, whether man or woman. Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):
“The adulterer — fornicator marries not but an adulteress — fornicatress or a Mushrikah; and the adulteress –fornicatress, none marries her except an adulterer — fornicater or a Mushrik [and that means that the man who agrees to marry (have a sexual relation with) a Mushrikah (female polytheist, pagan or idolatress) or a prostitute, then surely, he is either an adulterer — fornicator, or a Mushrik (polytheist, pagan or idolater). And the woman who agrees to marry (have a sexual relation with) a Mushrik (polytheist, pagan or idolater) or an adulterer — fornicator, then she is either a prostitute or a Mushrikah (female polytheist, pagan, or idolatress)]. Such a thing is forbidden to the believers (of Islamic Monotheism)”
[al-Noor 24:3]
If the one who has committed zina repents to Allaah, truly and sincerely, then Allaah will forgive him or her, and overlook the sin. Allaah says, after mentioning the warning to those who commit zina:
“Except those who repent and believe (in Islamic Monotheism), and do righteous deeds; for those, Allaah will change their sins into good deeds, and Allaah is Oft Forgiving, Most Merciful.
And whosoever repents and does righteous good deeds; then verily, he repents towards Allaah with true repentance”
[al-Furqaan 25:70-71 – interpretation of the meaning]
If the person repents sincerely, then it becomes permissible for him or her to get married, after they give up this sin.
Shaykh Muhammad ibn Ibraaheem was asked about the ruling on getting married to a woman who has committed zina. He said: “it is not permissible to marry the woman who has committed adultery until she repents… if a man wants to marry her, he has to be sure that she is not pregnant, by waiting until she has a period before he does the marriage contract with her. If she is pregnant, then it is not permissible for him to marry her until she has given birth.”
See al-Fataawa al-Jaami’ah li’l-Mar’ah al-Muslimah, 2/584
Praise be to Allaah.
The one who has committed zina (fornication or adultery) has to repent, because zina is one of the major sins which are forbidden in Islam and for which a stern warning is issued to the one who does them. Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):
“And those who invoke not any other ilaah (god) along with Allaah, nor kill such person as Allaah has forbidden, except for just cause, nor commit illegal sexual intercourse and whoever does this shall receive the punishment.
The torment will be doubled to him on the Day of Resurrection, and he will abide therein in disgrace”
[al-Furqaan 25:68-69]
The punishment must be carried out in this world on the one who has committed zina (fornication or adultery), as Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):
“The fornicatress and the fornicator, flog each of them with a hundred stripes. Let not pity withhold you in their case, in a punishment prescribed by Allaah, if you believe in Allaah and the Last Day. And let a party of the believers witness their punishment”
[al-Noor 24:2]
It was narrated in a hadeeth from the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him): “Receive (teaching) from me, receive (teaching) from me. Allaah has ordained a way for those (women). When an unmarried male commits adultery with an unmarried female, (they should receive) one hundred lashes and banishment for one year. And in the case of a married male committing adultery with a married female, they shall receive one hundred lashes and be stoned to death.”
(Narrated by Muslim, al-Hudood, 3199).
Allaah has forbidden the believers to marry a person who commits zina, whether man or woman. Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):
“The adulterer — fornicator marries not but an adulteress — fornicatress or a Mushrikah; and the adulteress –fornicatress, none marries her except an adulterer — fornicater or a Mushrik [and that means that the man who agrees to marry (have a sexual relation with) a Mushrikah (female polytheist, pagan or idolatress) or a prostitute, then surely, he is either an adulterer — fornicator, or a Mushrik (polytheist, pagan or idolater). And the woman who agrees to marry (have a sexual relation with) a Mushrik (polytheist, pagan or idolater) or an adulterer — fornicator, then she is either a prostitute or a Mushrikah (female polytheist, pagan, or idolatress)]. Such a thing is forbidden to the believers (of Islamic Monotheism)”
[al-Noor 24:3]
If the one who has committed zina repents to Allaah, truly and sincerely, then Allaah will forgive him or her, and overlook the sin. Allaah says, after mentioning the warning to those who commit zina:
“Except those who repent and believe (in Islamic Monotheism), and do righteous deeds; for those, Allaah will change their sins into good deeds, and Allaah is Oft Forgiving, Most Merciful.
And whosoever repents and does righteous good deeds; then verily, he repents towards Allaah with true repentance”
[al-Furqaan 25:70-71 – interpretation of the meaning]
If the person repents sincerely, then it becomes permissible for him or her to get married, after they give up this sin.
Shaykh Muhammad ibn Ibraaheem was asked about the ruling on getting married to a woman who has committed zina. He said: “it is not permissible to marry the woman who has committed adultery until she repents… if a man wants to marry her, he has to be sure that she is not pregnant, by waiting until she has a period before he does the marriage contract with her. If she is pregnant, then it is not permissible for him to marry her until she has given birth.”
See al-Fataawa al-Jaami’ah li’l-Mar’ah al-Muslimah, 2/584
She has repented from stealing but she cannot return what was stolen
I am a nineteen-year-old girl. I had the habit of stealing when I was fourteen years old, and this matter is tormenting me a great deal now, after repenting, because I know that my repentance will not be accepted unless I give back to the people what is rightfully theirs, but I do not have enough money to do that. What should I do? I hope that you will help me so that my repentance will be accepted.
Praise be to Allaah.
Firstly: You should realize that the mercy of Allaah is greater than anyone can imagine. Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):
“and My Mercy embraces all things”
[al-A’raaf 7:156]
And it was narrated from Abu Hurayrah (may Allaah be pleased with him) that the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “Allaah has one hundred degrees of mercy, of which He sent down one among the jinn, mankind, the animals and the vermin, by virtue of which they show compassion and mercy to one another, and the wild animal shows compassion to its young. But Allaah has kept behind ninety-nine degrees of mercy by virtue of which He will have mercy on His slaves on the Day of Resurrection.” Narrated by Muslim, 2752.
A person repented from killing one hundred souls, as was narrated in the saheeh hadeeth from the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) (narrated by Muslim, 2766), and stealing is not more serious than killing. So congratulations for your repenting and turning to Allaah.
Secondly: The scholars stated that there are three conditions of repentance: giving up the sin, regretting what is past, and resolving not to go back to it.
You should understand that rights are of two types: the rights of Allaah and the rights of other people. The rights of Allaah are waived when one repents, except in the case of financial dues such as zakaah, kafaarah (expiation) and vows – according to the correct opinion.
See Rawdat al-Taalibeen, 11/246; Kashshaaf al-Qinaa’, 2/257.
With regard to the rights of other people, the scholars added a fourth condition to repentance, which is that people’s rights should be restored to them, and that repentance is not sufficient to waive any of the rights owed to others, rather the rights of the one who has been wronged must be restored.
This was mentioned by Ibn Qudaamah, al-Nawawi, Ibn al-Qayyim, Ibn Hajar and others. See: al-Mughni, 14/193; Rawdat al-Taalibeen, 11/245-246; Madaarij al-Saalikeen, 1/396; Fath al-Baari, 11/104.
Thirdly: What you mention about not being able to return the money is no justification for taking this matter lightly. Try to collect the money from halaal sources such as gifts, work that is Islamically acceptable, and so on. Allaah will help you with that if He knows that you are sincere, as He says (interpretation of the meaning):
“And whosoever fears Allaah 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”
[al-Talaaq 65:2-3]
Then give this money to its rightful owner and tell them frankly, if that will not cause embarrassment or lead to harmful consequences; if being frank will cause too much embarrassment, then you can give it to them in a way that will not cause any trouble between you and them. See question no. 45016.
If you cannot return the money because the amount is too great and you cannot afford it, then you can ask the owners to forgive you. Seek the help of Allaah in that and put your trust in Him.
“And whosoever puts his trust in Allaah, then He will suffice him”
[al-Talaaq 65:3]
If you cannot do that either because you do not know who the owner is, for example, then we hope that Allaah will forgive you.
Al-Nawawi (may Allaah have mercy on him) said: If the sin has to do with financial duties, such as withholding zakaah, seizing property by force and crimes against people’s wealth, then as well as that (repentance) the duty must also be discharged, such as paying zakaah, returning people’s wealth to them if it is still present or paying them the equivalent otherwise, or asking the person to whom it is owed to let him off. If the person has died, then it should be given to his heir; if he does not have an heir or he cannot be found, then the matter should be referred to a qaadi of good character.
If that is not possible, then it should be given in charity to the poor with the intention of also paying it back if he (the one who took it) finds him; if he is poor then he should have the intention of paying it back if he can. If he dies before he can pay it back, then there is the hope that Allaah will forgive him by His grace.
Rawdat al-Taalibeen, 11/246.
And Allaah is the Source of strength.
Praise be to Allaah.
Firstly: You should realize that the mercy of Allaah is greater than anyone can imagine. Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):
“and My Mercy embraces all things”
[al-A’raaf 7:156]
And it was narrated from Abu Hurayrah (may Allaah be pleased with him) that the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “Allaah has one hundred degrees of mercy, of which He sent down one among the jinn, mankind, the animals and the vermin, by virtue of which they show compassion and mercy to one another, and the wild animal shows compassion to its young. But Allaah has kept behind ninety-nine degrees of mercy by virtue of which He will have mercy on His slaves on the Day of Resurrection.” Narrated by Muslim, 2752.
A person repented from killing one hundred souls, as was narrated in the saheeh hadeeth from the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) (narrated by Muslim, 2766), and stealing is not more serious than killing. So congratulations for your repenting and turning to Allaah.
Secondly: The scholars stated that there are three conditions of repentance: giving up the sin, regretting what is past, and resolving not to go back to it.
You should understand that rights are of two types: the rights of Allaah and the rights of other people. The rights of Allaah are waived when one repents, except in the case of financial dues such as zakaah, kafaarah (expiation) and vows – according to the correct opinion.
See Rawdat al-Taalibeen, 11/246; Kashshaaf al-Qinaa’, 2/257.
With regard to the rights of other people, the scholars added a fourth condition to repentance, which is that people’s rights should be restored to them, and that repentance is not sufficient to waive any of the rights owed to others, rather the rights of the one who has been wronged must be restored.
This was mentioned by Ibn Qudaamah, al-Nawawi, Ibn al-Qayyim, Ibn Hajar and others. See: al-Mughni, 14/193; Rawdat al-Taalibeen, 11/245-246; Madaarij al-Saalikeen, 1/396; Fath al-Baari, 11/104.
Thirdly: What you mention about not being able to return the money is no justification for taking this matter lightly. Try to collect the money from halaal sources such as gifts, work that is Islamically acceptable, and so on. Allaah will help you with that if He knows that you are sincere, as He says (interpretation of the meaning):
“And whosoever fears Allaah 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”
[al-Talaaq 65:2-3]
Then give this money to its rightful owner and tell them frankly, if that will not cause embarrassment or lead to harmful consequences; if being frank will cause too much embarrassment, then you can give it to them in a way that will not cause any trouble between you and them. See question no. 45016.
If you cannot return the money because the amount is too great and you cannot afford it, then you can ask the owners to forgive you. Seek the help of Allaah in that and put your trust in Him.
“And whosoever puts his trust in Allaah, then He will suffice him”
[al-Talaaq 65:3]
If you cannot do that either because you do not know who the owner is, for example, then we hope that Allaah will forgive you.
Al-Nawawi (may Allaah have mercy on him) said: If the sin has to do with financial duties, such as withholding zakaah, seizing property by force and crimes against people’s wealth, then as well as that (repentance) the duty must also be discharged, such as paying zakaah, returning people’s wealth to them if it is still present or paying them the equivalent otherwise, or asking the person to whom it is owed to let him off. If the person has died, then it should be given to his heir; if he does not have an heir or he cannot be found, then the matter should be referred to a qaadi of good character.
If that is not possible, then it should be given in charity to the poor with the intention of also paying it back if he (the one who took it) finds him; if he is poor then he should have the intention of paying it back if he can. If he dies before he can pay it back, then there is the hope that Allaah will forgive him by His grace.
Rawdat al-Taalibeen, 11/246.
And Allaah is the Source of strength.
She committed incest with her brother – should she tell her husband?
Between the ages of 10 and 14 she committed immoral actions with her brother who was three years older than her, but intercourse did not take place. Then she grew up and realized that she was sinning, and she and her brother gave up this action and regretted it deeply.
She fell in love with a young man and did everything with him except intercourse.
Should she tell her husband in the future of what she did with her brother in the past? Is it true that her parents’ marriage is regarded as null and void because of what they did? How should the relationship be between her children and her brother’s children in the future? How can she repent and seek forgiveness for her sins? Will her sin be forgiven if she says “Yaa Ghafoor, yaa Raheem, yaa ‘Afuw” repeatedly?.
Praise be to Allaah.
What you have to do is to repent to Allaah and seek His forgiveness for what you have done. What you have done is no minor matter. Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):
“And come not near to unlawful sex. Verily, it is a Faahishah (i.e. anything that transgresses its limits: a great sin, and an evil way that leads one to hell unless Allaah Forgives him)”
[al-Isra’ 17:32]
What you and your brother did is a kind of approaching zina (unlawful sex). Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):
“And those who invoke not any other ilaah (god) along with Allaah, nor kill such person as Allaah has forbidden, except for just cause, nor commit illegal sexual intercourse and whoever does this shall receive the punishment.
The torment will be doubled to him on the Day of Resurrection, and he will abide therein in disgrace;
Except those who repent and believe (in Islamic Monotheism), and do righteous deeds; for those, Allaah will change their sins into good deeds, and Allaah is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful”
[al-Furqaan 25:68]
And the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “O ummah of Muhammad, by Allaah there is none more indignant than Allaah when His slave, male or female, commits zina. O ummah of Muhammad, if you knew what I know, you would laugh little and weep much.”
Narrated by al-Bukhaari, 1044; Muslim, 901.
So what you and your brother have to do is to repent to Allaah from what you have done, and to do a lot of righteous deeds such as praying, fasting and giving charity, so as to atone for your evil actions.
What happened between you and that man is another sin. Our advice to you is to check yourself and realize that when Allaah becomes angry with His slave He dooms him and removes blessing from his entire life, if he does not repent and turn back to his Lord.
With regard to telling your husband about what has happened to you in the past, you do not have to do that once you have repented from it. You should cover yourself and not speak openly of something that you have done in the past. The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “All of my ummah will be forgiven except those who commit sin blatantly. It is committing sin blatantly if a man does something at night, then in the morning when Allaah has concealed him, he says, ‘O So and so, I did such and such last night,’ when all night his Lord has concealed him, and he uncovers that which Allaah has concealed.” Narrated by al-Bukhaari, 6069; Muslim, 2990.
Your parents’ marriage is not regarded as null and void, because there is not connection between what happened and your parents’ marriage.
“And no bearer of burdens shall bear another’s burden”
[Faatir 35:18]
So if you conceal what you did, and your brother also conceals what he did – which is what you both must do – then the relationship between your children will be very normal and there will be no problems, either from the shar’i or social point of view.
With regard to repentance from sin and seeking forgiveness for it, there are conditions attached, which are discussed in question no. 13990.
May Allaah help you to do all that is good.
She fell in love with a young man and did everything with him except intercourse.
Should she tell her husband in the future of what she did with her brother in the past? Is it true that her parents’ marriage is regarded as null and void because of what they did? How should the relationship be between her children and her brother’s children in the future? How can she repent and seek forgiveness for her sins? Will her sin be forgiven if she says “Yaa Ghafoor, yaa Raheem, yaa ‘Afuw” repeatedly?.
Praise be to Allaah.
What you have to do is to repent to Allaah and seek His forgiveness for what you have done. What you have done is no minor matter. Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):
“And come not near to unlawful sex. Verily, it is a Faahishah (i.e. anything that transgresses its limits: a great sin, and an evil way that leads one to hell unless Allaah Forgives him)”
[al-Isra’ 17:32]
What you and your brother did is a kind of approaching zina (unlawful sex). Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):
“And those who invoke not any other ilaah (god) along with Allaah, nor kill such person as Allaah has forbidden, except for just cause, nor commit illegal sexual intercourse and whoever does this shall receive the punishment.
The torment will be doubled to him on the Day of Resurrection, and he will abide therein in disgrace;
Except those who repent and believe (in Islamic Monotheism), and do righteous deeds; for those, Allaah will change their sins into good deeds, and Allaah is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful”
[al-Furqaan 25:68]
And the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “O ummah of Muhammad, by Allaah there is none more indignant than Allaah when His slave, male or female, commits zina. O ummah of Muhammad, if you knew what I know, you would laugh little and weep much.”
Narrated by al-Bukhaari, 1044; Muslim, 901.
So what you and your brother have to do is to repent to Allaah from what you have done, and to do a lot of righteous deeds such as praying, fasting and giving charity, so as to atone for your evil actions.
What happened between you and that man is another sin. Our advice to you is to check yourself and realize that when Allaah becomes angry with His slave He dooms him and removes blessing from his entire life, if he does not repent and turn back to his Lord.
With regard to telling your husband about what has happened to you in the past, you do not have to do that once you have repented from it. You should cover yourself and not speak openly of something that you have done in the past. The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “All of my ummah will be forgiven except those who commit sin blatantly. It is committing sin blatantly if a man does something at night, then in the morning when Allaah has concealed him, he says, ‘O So and so, I did such and such last night,’ when all night his Lord has concealed him, and he uncovers that which Allaah has concealed.” Narrated by al-Bukhaari, 6069; Muslim, 2990.
Your parents’ marriage is not regarded as null and void, because there is not connection between what happened and your parents’ marriage.
“And no bearer of burdens shall bear another’s burden”
[Faatir 35:18]
So if you conceal what you did, and your brother also conceals what he did – which is what you both must do – then the relationship between your children will be very normal and there will be no problems, either from the shar’i or social point of view.
With regard to repentance from sin and seeking forgiveness for it, there are conditions attached, which are discussed in question no. 13990.
May Allaah help you to do all that is good.
He has repented from a relationship with a woman over the internet
I m so happy. the reason is i met this sister through internet, and well i started liking her.. but before things would go further .. i kinda stopped and i realized i just couldnt like her, for i truly luved Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful. so i told her sorry i cant like u anymore i luv Allah. so i was wondering is their any sin which will go in my account in the hereafter since i liked her and told her.. but then realized that its wrong.. so i left and told her i luv Allah more and i cant go against Him. so i was wondering will i get a reward for this good deed? or will i be questioned abt the sin i did before leaving this sister? thank u dear imam.. sorry to ask u such a dumb question.
Praise be to Allaah.
We are surprised that you describe your question as “dumb”, rather it is very good, and is indicative of wisdom and religious commitment. We need people like you who strive to overcome their desires and who put obedience to Allaah and His Messenger above obedience to their own desires, and fear the standing before their Lord.
We give you glad tiding for what you have done by leaving this girl and putting love of Allaah above this sin. There follow some glad tidings:
1 – The reward of two Gardens.
Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):
“But for him who fears the standing before his Lord, there will be two Gardens (i.e. in Paradise)”
[al-Rahmaan 55:46]
Ibn Katheer said:
The correct view is that this verse is general in meaning, as Ibn ‘Abbaas and others said. Allaah says “But for him who fears the standing before his Lord” i.e., on the Day of Resurrection, and forbids himself from following his whims and desires, and does not obey his desires or prefer the life of this world, and knows that the Hereafter is better and more lasting, and fulfils his duties towards Allaah, and avoids that which He has forbidden – on the Day of Resurrection he will have two Gardens with his Lord…
Tafseer Ibn Katheer, 4/277
2 – Bad deeds will be turned into good deeds.
Allaah says – after mentioning the punishment for shirk, murder and adultery – (interpretation of the meaning):
“Except those who repent and believe (in Islamic Monotheism), and do righteous deeds; for those, Allaah will change their sins into good deeds, and Allaah is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful”
[al-Furqaan 25:70]
According to the two views on the meaning of this verse, this is one of the glad tidings to those who give up sin. And it was said that their sins will be turned into acts of obedience, and it was said that their bad deeds themselves will be turned into good deeds.
Shaykh ‘Abd al-Rahmaan al-Sa’di said:
“Except those who repent” from these sins and others, by giving them up immediately, regretting what they have done in the past, and resolving firmly never to go back to them.
“and believe” in Allaah with true faith, which implies giving up sin and doing acts of obedience.
“and do righteous deeds” means those that are enjoined by sharee’ah, if the intention is to seek the pleasure of Allaah.
“for those, Allaah will change their sins into good deeds” means, he will make their deeds different, so where they used to do bad deeds, they will now do good deeds. So their shirk is changed into faith, their disobedience into obedience. The bad deeds that they used to do, from which they repented, turning to Allaah, and worship, are turned into good deeds, as is the apparent meaning of the verse. This was narrated in the hadeeth of the man some of whose sins were counted by Allaah, then He turned each bad deed into a good deed and he said, “O Lord, I have other bad deeds that I do not see here.” And Allaah knows best.
Tafseer al-Sa’di.
3 – Feeling the sweetness of faith.
It was narrated from Anas ibn Maalik (may Allaah be pleased with him) that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “There are three qualities, whoever possesses them will find the sweetness of faith: when Allaah and His Messenger are dearer to him than anyone else; when he loves a man and only loves him for the sake of Allaah; and when he would hate to go back to kufr as he would hate to be thrown into the fire.”
Narrated by al-Bukhaari, 16; Muslim, 43.
4 – Glad tidings of sincerity
Undoubtedly for those who strive against their whims and desires and ward off haraam love and replace it with love of Allaah, this is a sign of their sincerity (ikhlaas).
Ibn al-Qayyim said:
Love of images [i.e. haraam love] is something which is suffered by those hearts that are devoid of love of Allaah. If the heart is filled with love of Allaah and longing to meet Him, that will ward off the sickness of love of images. Hence Allaah said concerning Yoosuf (interpretation of the meaning):
“Thus it was, that We might turn away from him evil and illegal sexual intercourse. Surely, he was one of Our chosen, (guided) slaves”
[Yoosuf 12:24]
This indicates that his being chosen was the reason why (haraam) love and its consequences of evil and illegal sexual intercourse were warded off from him. One of the salaf said: “Love is the movement of an empty heart” i.e., a heart that is empty of everything except the object of love.
And Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):
“And the heart of the mother of Moosa (Moses) became empty [from every thought, except the thought of Moosa (Moses)]. She was very near to disclose his (case, i.e. the child is her son)”
[al-Qasas 28:10]
i.e., her heart was empty of everything except Moosa, because of her deep love for him and her heart’s attachment to him. Love is composed of two things: admiring the object of one’s love, and hoping to get what one wants. When one of them ends then the love ends too.
Zaad al-Ma’aad, 4/268.
Strive – may Allaah bless you – to strengthen your faith and to persist in obeying and worshipping Allaah, because that is one of the greatest signs of love of Allaah. Try to continue having no contact with that girl, then the Shaytaan will not trick you into going back to her and speaking to her. Then you will be fine, in sha Allah.
And Allaah is the Source of strength.
Praise be to Allaah.
We are surprised that you describe your question as “dumb”, rather it is very good, and is indicative of wisdom and religious commitment. We need people like you who strive to overcome their desires and who put obedience to Allaah and His Messenger above obedience to their own desires, and fear the standing before their Lord.
We give you glad tiding for what you have done by leaving this girl and putting love of Allaah above this sin. There follow some glad tidings:
1 – The reward of two Gardens.
Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):
“But for him who fears the standing before his Lord, there will be two Gardens (i.e. in Paradise)”
[al-Rahmaan 55:46]
Ibn Katheer said:
The correct view is that this verse is general in meaning, as Ibn ‘Abbaas and others said. Allaah says “But for him who fears the standing before his Lord” i.e., on the Day of Resurrection, and forbids himself from following his whims and desires, and does not obey his desires or prefer the life of this world, and knows that the Hereafter is better and more lasting, and fulfils his duties towards Allaah, and avoids that which He has forbidden – on the Day of Resurrection he will have two Gardens with his Lord…
Tafseer Ibn Katheer, 4/277
2 – Bad deeds will be turned into good deeds.
Allaah says – after mentioning the punishment for shirk, murder and adultery – (interpretation of the meaning):
“Except those who repent and believe (in Islamic Monotheism), and do righteous deeds; for those, Allaah will change their sins into good deeds, and Allaah is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful”
[al-Furqaan 25:70]
According to the two views on the meaning of this verse, this is one of the glad tidings to those who give up sin. And it was said that their sins will be turned into acts of obedience, and it was said that their bad deeds themselves will be turned into good deeds.
Shaykh ‘Abd al-Rahmaan al-Sa’di said:
“Except those who repent” from these sins and others, by giving them up immediately, regretting what they have done in the past, and resolving firmly never to go back to them.
“and believe” in Allaah with true faith, which implies giving up sin and doing acts of obedience.
“and do righteous deeds” means those that are enjoined by sharee’ah, if the intention is to seek the pleasure of Allaah.
“for those, Allaah will change their sins into good deeds” means, he will make their deeds different, so where they used to do bad deeds, they will now do good deeds. So their shirk is changed into faith, their disobedience into obedience. The bad deeds that they used to do, from which they repented, turning to Allaah, and worship, are turned into good deeds, as is the apparent meaning of the verse. This was narrated in the hadeeth of the man some of whose sins were counted by Allaah, then He turned each bad deed into a good deed and he said, “O Lord, I have other bad deeds that I do not see here.” And Allaah knows best.
Tafseer al-Sa’di.
3 – Feeling the sweetness of faith.
It was narrated from Anas ibn Maalik (may Allaah be pleased with him) that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “There are three qualities, whoever possesses them will find the sweetness of faith: when Allaah and His Messenger are dearer to him than anyone else; when he loves a man and only loves him for the sake of Allaah; and when he would hate to go back to kufr as he would hate to be thrown into the fire.”
Narrated by al-Bukhaari, 16; Muslim, 43.
4 – Glad tidings of sincerity
Undoubtedly for those who strive against their whims and desires and ward off haraam love and replace it with love of Allaah, this is a sign of their sincerity (ikhlaas).
Ibn al-Qayyim said:
Love of images [i.e. haraam love] is something which is suffered by those hearts that are devoid of love of Allaah. If the heart is filled with love of Allaah and longing to meet Him, that will ward off the sickness of love of images. Hence Allaah said concerning Yoosuf (interpretation of the meaning):
“Thus it was, that We might turn away from him evil and illegal sexual intercourse. Surely, he was one of Our chosen, (guided) slaves”
[Yoosuf 12:24]
This indicates that his being chosen was the reason why (haraam) love and its consequences of evil and illegal sexual intercourse were warded off from him. One of the salaf said: “Love is the movement of an empty heart” i.e., a heart that is empty of everything except the object of love.
And Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):
“And the heart of the mother of Moosa (Moses) became empty [from every thought, except the thought of Moosa (Moses)]. She was very near to disclose his (case, i.e. the child is her son)”
[al-Qasas 28:10]
i.e., her heart was empty of everything except Moosa, because of her deep love for him and her heart’s attachment to him. Love is composed of two things: admiring the object of one’s love, and hoping to get what one wants. When one of them ends then the love ends too.
Zaad al-Ma’aad, 4/268.
Strive – may Allaah bless you – to strengthen your faith and to persist in obeying and worshipping Allaah, because that is one of the greatest signs of love of Allaah. Try to continue having no contact with that girl, then the Shaytaan will not trick you into going back to her and speaking to her. Then you will be fine, in sha Allah.
And Allaah is the Source of strength.
Is it permissible to wish for death for fear of losing one's faith
I used to be a religiously committed girl who was seeking knowledge, but I drifted away from righteous friends without meaning to, then I started neglecting to seek knowledge because of weak faith, and my marriage was delayed so I started to watch foreign movies and the matter is getting worse. In the past I suffered from a psychological illness and I have nearly been cured, but my current situation makes me anxious and I relax by watching movies. I do not have the responsibility of a husband or children or studies; I have finished my studies and have no opportunity to work in the place where I live. To be honest I hope I will die soon; by Allaah, this is not in order to run away from the decree of Allaah, but because I am afraid that my negligence will increase and that when I die I will have wandered from the path that leads to Paradise. Please advise me, may Allaah bless you.
Praise be to Allaah.
Although you have drifted away from righteous friends without meaning to, but you could have avoided neglecting to seek knowledge and being careless in watching and listening to haraam things. What happened to you after that may be because of the effect of those sins. We have mentioned some of those effects in our answer to question no. 23425, which we hope you will look at.
There are many women like you who have delayed marriage, but they have not done what you did. Rather they make use of their time to memorize Qur’aan, seek knowledge and call people to Allaah. This is the way in which Allaah opens hearts and puts minds at rest, and this is the way in which Allaah makes worldly matters easy for those who follow it.
Your wishing for death because you fear becoming more careless and committing more sins is a great mistake. Rather you should only wish for death when you are in a better situation than you are at present. It is up to you: you can take charge of yourself and go back to the way you were, and do better than that, in sha Allaah. But you have to be honest with yourself and hasten to go back to the way that Allaah likes and is pleased with.
Not everyone who wishes for death will get what he wants; hence we are afraid that your situation may become even worse, which is what makes the Shaytaan happy and angers the Most Merciful. You have to realize that. Your wish for death is not the solution to your problem. Rather the solution is to repent sincerely and to do that which pleases Allaah, and to make up for what you have missed of actions that are pleasing to Allaah.
Perhaps you know that what has happened to you and what Allaah has decreed for you may be better for you, if you come back to Allaah, because you will regret what has happened and you will do more acts of obedience and worship, and Allaah will turn the bad deeds that have been recorded against you into good deeds. This is the bounty of Allaah towards His slaves.
Shaykh al-Islam Ibn Taymiyah said:
Whoever thinks that a person who has committed sin and then repents will be lacking is making a great mistake, for the condemnation and punishment that may befall the sinner do not affect the one who repents from sin at all. If he hastens to repent from sin then nothing will affect him, but if he delays repentance then he may be affected by some condemnation and punishment during the period between committing sin and repenting.
Majmoo’ al-Fataawa, 10/309.
And he said:
But a person may do something haraam and then repent, and that is good for him if he repents from it, and by repenting he may become humble and soft-hearted, and more devoted to Allaah. Sins may serve an interest if one repents from them, because if a person does not commit sin he may become arrogant, filled with self-admiration and hard-hearted, but if he commits sin, that humbles him and softens his heart because of his repentance.
Majmoo’ al-Fataawa, 14/474
See also the answer to question no. 21677, which describes how to treat anxiety and depression.
And Allaah is the Guide to the straight path.
Praise be to Allaah.
Although you have drifted away from righteous friends without meaning to, but you could have avoided neglecting to seek knowledge and being careless in watching and listening to haraam things. What happened to you after that may be because of the effect of those sins. We have mentioned some of those effects in our answer to question no. 23425, which we hope you will look at.
There are many women like you who have delayed marriage, but they have not done what you did. Rather they make use of their time to memorize Qur’aan, seek knowledge and call people to Allaah. This is the way in which Allaah opens hearts and puts minds at rest, and this is the way in which Allaah makes worldly matters easy for those who follow it.
Your wishing for death because you fear becoming more careless and committing more sins is a great mistake. Rather you should only wish for death when you are in a better situation than you are at present. It is up to you: you can take charge of yourself and go back to the way you were, and do better than that, in sha Allaah. But you have to be honest with yourself and hasten to go back to the way that Allaah likes and is pleased with.
Not everyone who wishes for death will get what he wants; hence we are afraid that your situation may become even worse, which is what makes the Shaytaan happy and angers the Most Merciful. You have to realize that. Your wish for death is not the solution to your problem. Rather the solution is to repent sincerely and to do that which pleases Allaah, and to make up for what you have missed of actions that are pleasing to Allaah.
Perhaps you know that what has happened to you and what Allaah has decreed for you may be better for you, if you come back to Allaah, because you will regret what has happened and you will do more acts of obedience and worship, and Allaah will turn the bad deeds that have been recorded against you into good deeds. This is the bounty of Allaah towards His slaves.
Shaykh al-Islam Ibn Taymiyah said:
Whoever thinks that a person who has committed sin and then repents will be lacking is making a great mistake, for the condemnation and punishment that may befall the sinner do not affect the one who repents from sin at all. If he hastens to repent from sin then nothing will affect him, but if he delays repentance then he may be affected by some condemnation and punishment during the period between committing sin and repenting.
Majmoo’ al-Fataawa, 10/309.
And he said:
But a person may do something haraam and then repent, and that is good for him if he repents from it, and by repenting he may become humble and soft-hearted, and more devoted to Allaah. Sins may serve an interest if one repents from them, because if a person does not commit sin he may become arrogant, filled with self-admiration and hard-hearted, but if he commits sin, that humbles him and softens his heart because of his repentance.
Majmoo’ al-Fataawa, 14/474
See also the answer to question no. 21677, which describes how to treat anxiety and depression.
And Allaah is the Guide to the straight path.
Fleeing to Madeenah form tribulation
How can I flee to Madeenah to save myself from the tribulations that have appeared and become prevalent??.
Praise be to Allaah.
It is proven in the hadeeth of Jaabir (may Allaah be pleased with him) that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “Madeenah is like a bellows that eliminates the dross and enhances the good elements.”
Narrated by al-Bukhaari, 6785; Muslim, 1383.
Al-Nawawi said: What this means is that those who faith is contaminated will leave Madeenah and those whose faith is sincere will stay there. It is proven in the hadeeth of Anas ibn Maalik (may Allaah be pleased with him) that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “There is no land that the Dajjaal will not enter, apart from Makkah and Madeenah. At every path of them there are angels in ranks, guarding them. Madeenah will be shaken three times with its inhabitants, and Allaah will bring out of it every kaafir and hypocrite.” Narrated by al-Bukhaari, 1782; Muslim, 160.
And it was narrated from Abu Hurayrah (may Allaah be pleased with him) that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “There will come a time when a man will say to his cousin and relatives, ‘Come to an easy life, come to an easy life,’ but Madeenah will be better for them if only they knew. By the One in Whose hand is my soul, no one leaves Madeenah because he prefers to lives elsewhere but Allaah will replace him with someone who is better. Madeenah is like a bellows that brings out the dross. The Hour will not begin until Madeenah is cleansed of its evil people like the bellows cleanses iron of dross.”
Narrated by Muslim, 1381.
These ahaadeeth explain that no evil will remain in Madeenah and that it is always cleansed of its evil; the Dajjaal will never enter it, and it is a better for those who leave it for other places.
But this does not necessarily mean that those who leave Madeenah have been tempted by the Shaytaan. Allaah has created the causes of remaining steadfast in adhering to truth and guidance, just as He has created the causes of going astray. Everything is in the hand of Allaah, from beginning to end, and Allaah creates causes for everything.
Some of the causes and means of remaining steadfast in adhering to guidance are as follows:
1- Remembering Allaah a great deal (dhikr), praying and reading Qur’aan
2- Always making du’aa’ and asking Allaah to make one steadfast
3- Keeping company with good people and sitting with righteous people
4- Keeping away from situations and places that provoke desires and cause temptation
5- Arming oneself with Islamic knowledge
6- Calling people to Allaah (da’wah) and sacrificing that which is most precious for the sake of Allaah
7- You should read the books Ways to Steadfast Faith and the book , 33 Ways of Developing Khushoo’ in Salaah on this website (under Useful Material > Books).
May Allaah help you to do all that is good.
From learning Quran online Blog
And important note that we want to discuss and share with you it is about Quran reading and doing Quran recitation online to understand it, Ramadan is the month when the beautiful the Holy Quran has been revealed. A miracle by the creator of the worlds, Allah (SWT) Should we not glorify him by reading quran the gift he has sent down for us and learn Arabic Quran by heart to feel the power of it and we as Muslim should try to learn quran with translation to understand it wile we do Quran memorization and let our heart fill will tears of glory and wash away our sins in the month of Ramadan many people teach quran and we should participate in teaching quran as much as we could because it is the noble cause to spread the word of Allah and the quran tutor will get the reword in the day of judgment “Will they not meditate on the Quran, or are there locks on the hearts”, Quran for kids , Surah Muhammad, Verse 24. Here is an interesting tajweed quran reciter where you can listen to quran from top Koran reciters and read the Koran with different translation and plz link to it and share it to promote islam
End from online Quran reciter blog
Praise be to Allaah.
It is proven in the hadeeth of Jaabir (may Allaah be pleased with him) that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “Madeenah is like a bellows that eliminates the dross and enhances the good elements.”
Narrated by al-Bukhaari, 6785; Muslim, 1383.
Al-Nawawi said: What this means is that those who faith is contaminated will leave Madeenah and those whose faith is sincere will stay there. It is proven in the hadeeth of Anas ibn Maalik (may Allaah be pleased with him) that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “There is no land that the Dajjaal will not enter, apart from Makkah and Madeenah. At every path of them there are angels in ranks, guarding them. Madeenah will be shaken three times with its inhabitants, and Allaah will bring out of it every kaafir and hypocrite.” Narrated by al-Bukhaari, 1782; Muslim, 160.
And it was narrated from Abu Hurayrah (may Allaah be pleased with him) that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “There will come a time when a man will say to his cousin and relatives, ‘Come to an easy life, come to an easy life,’ but Madeenah will be better for them if only they knew. By the One in Whose hand is my soul, no one leaves Madeenah because he prefers to lives elsewhere but Allaah will replace him with someone who is better. Madeenah is like a bellows that brings out the dross. The Hour will not begin until Madeenah is cleansed of its evil people like the bellows cleanses iron of dross.”
Narrated by Muslim, 1381.
These ahaadeeth explain that no evil will remain in Madeenah and that it is always cleansed of its evil; the Dajjaal will never enter it, and it is a better for those who leave it for other places.
But this does not necessarily mean that those who leave Madeenah have been tempted by the Shaytaan. Allaah has created the causes of remaining steadfast in adhering to truth and guidance, just as He has created the causes of going astray. Everything is in the hand of Allaah, from beginning to end, and Allaah creates causes for everything.
Some of the causes and means of remaining steadfast in adhering to guidance are as follows:
1- Remembering Allaah a great deal (dhikr), praying and reading Qur’aan
2- Always making du’aa’ and asking Allaah to make one steadfast
3- Keeping company with good people and sitting with righteous people
4- Keeping away from situations and places that provoke desires and cause temptation
5- Arming oneself with Islamic knowledge
6- Calling people to Allaah (da’wah) and sacrificing that which is most precious for the sake of Allaah
7- You should read the books Ways to Steadfast Faith and the book , 33 Ways of Developing Khushoo’ in Salaah on this website (under Useful Material > Books).
May Allaah help you to do all that is good.
From learning Quran online Blog
And important note that we want to discuss and share with you it is about Quran reading and doing Quran recitation online to understand it, Ramadan is the month when the beautiful the Holy Quran has been revealed. A miracle by the creator of the worlds, Allah (SWT) Should we not glorify him by reading quran the gift he has sent down for us and learn Arabic Quran by heart to feel the power of it and we as Muslim should try to learn quran with translation to understand it wile we do Quran memorization and let our heart fill will tears of glory and wash away our sins in the month of Ramadan many people teach quran and we should participate in teaching quran as much as we could because it is the noble cause to spread the word of Allah and the quran tutor will get the reword in the day of judgment “Will they not meditate on the Quran, or are there locks on the hearts”, Quran for kids , Surah Muhammad, Verse 24. Here is an interesting tajweed quran reciter where you can listen to quran from top Koran reciters and read the Koran with different translation and plz link to it and share it to promote islam
End from online Quran reciter blog
If he taught others to do something sinful, then he repented from it, will he still carry a burden of sin?
We know that whoever does a good deed will have the reward for that and a reward equivalent to that of those who follow him in that, and the same applies to bad deeds. But if a person repents, does he still carry the burden of the sin which he taught to others and of which he was the cause of their learning it?
Praise be to Allaah.
Shaykh Ibn ‘Uthaymeen (may Allaah have mercy on him) was asked a similar question, and he answered:
It appears to me that he does not bear the burden of their sins, because he has repented, and when he repented Allaah forgave him all that has to do with this sin. From this question the danger of bid’ah becomes apparent to us, because if a person follows bid’ah which is a reprehensible innovation – and every bid’ah is a going astray – and other people take that as a custom, they keep this bid’ah alive, based on his actions – may Allaah protect us from that – then he bears the burden of that sin. But if he repents then the apparent meaning of the texts is that the one who repents from sin is like one who did not sin at all.
Praise be to Allaah.
Shaykh Ibn ‘Uthaymeen (may Allaah have mercy on him) was asked a similar question, and he answered:
It appears to me that he does not bear the burden of their sins, because he has repented, and when he repented Allaah forgave him all that has to do with this sin. From this question the danger of bid’ah becomes apparent to us, because if a person follows bid’ah which is a reprehensible innovation – and every bid’ah is a going astray – and other people take that as a custom, they keep this bid’ah alive, based on his actions – may Allaah protect us from that – then he bears the burden of that sin. But if he repents then the apparent meaning of the texts is that the one who repents from sin is like one who did not sin at all.
He caused some harm to his friends; does he have to tell them if he intends to repent?
I got to know one of the youth who have gone astray, and he used me to make some young people fall into his trap. I helped him in fact, but some of that did not happen, praise be to Allaah. I even helped him to do witchcraft against one young man, but it did not harm him, praise be to Allaah.
I have repented now, and I keep away from that deviant young man and keep company with good people. I have also started to memorize the Holy Qur’aan.
My question is: is it one of the conditions of my repentance that I should tell him about the witchcraft I did, in order for my repentance to be accepted?.
Praise be to Allaah.
We praise Allaah for guiding you to repent, and to keep away from these bad friends. You have to keep on thanking Allaah and asking Him to make you steadfast and to guide you.
The rights of other people must be restored if the wrong done involved material things. With regard to intangible things, such as gossip, the correct view – and Allaah knows best – is that he does not have to tell him if the person does not know about that, so it is sufficient to pray for forgiveness for his sin, and to pray for forgiveness for his brother too, in return for the harm done by his gossiping and backbiting about him.
The harm done to this young man by means of plotting and witchcraft comes under the heading of intangible matters, so you do not have to tell him about what you did; it is sufficient for you to fulfil the conditions of sincere repentance, namely regretting what you did, giving it up, and resolving not to go back to it again, as well as stopping the evildoer and others as much as you can.
See also the answer to question no. 6308.
But if that young man or anyone else knows about the plots and tricks you used against him, then you have to apologize to him and ask for his forgiveness, because you are only allowed not to tell him if he did not know so that he will not be upset by that, and lest that lead to cutting off ties and the stirring up of enmity and hatred between you. But if he knows that you did this evil thing, then the reason not to tell him is no longer applicable and your apologizing to him will serve a purpose.
We ask Allaah to accept your repentance. And Allaah knows best.
I have repented now, and I keep away from that deviant young man and keep company with good people. I have also started to memorize the Holy Qur’aan.
My question is: is it one of the conditions of my repentance that I should tell him about the witchcraft I did, in order for my repentance to be accepted?.
Praise be to Allaah.
We praise Allaah for guiding you to repent, and to keep away from these bad friends. You have to keep on thanking Allaah and asking Him to make you steadfast and to guide you.
The rights of other people must be restored if the wrong done involved material things. With regard to intangible things, such as gossip, the correct view – and Allaah knows best – is that he does not have to tell him if the person does not know about that, so it is sufficient to pray for forgiveness for his sin, and to pray for forgiveness for his brother too, in return for the harm done by his gossiping and backbiting about him.
The harm done to this young man by means of plotting and witchcraft comes under the heading of intangible matters, so you do not have to tell him about what you did; it is sufficient for you to fulfil the conditions of sincere repentance, namely regretting what you did, giving it up, and resolving not to go back to it again, as well as stopping the evildoer and others as much as you can.
See also the answer to question no. 6308.
But if that young man or anyone else knows about the plots and tricks you used against him, then you have to apologize to him and ask for his forgiveness, because you are only allowed not to tell him if he did not know so that he will not be upset by that, and lest that lead to cutting off ties and the stirring up of enmity and hatred between you. But if he knows that you did this evil thing, then the reason not to tell him is no longer applicable and your apologizing to him will serve a purpose.
We ask Allaah to accept your repentance. And Allaah knows best.
He stole from his father and brother, and now regrets it
When I was a teenager, I used to take money from my father and my older brother without their knowledge. Now I regret what I did, and I am wondering whether I should return the money to its owners, but I do not know exactly how much I took.
Praise be to Allaah.
What you did comes under the heading of stealing, but you regret what you have done and the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “Regret is repentance.” Narrated by Ahmad, 3558; Ibn Maajah (4252; classed as saheeh by al-Albaani in Saheeh Ibn Maajah. What is meant is that regret is the major part of repentance.
Praise be to Allaah that you have been guided to repent. Part of your repentance is returning things to their rightful owners, or asking them to forgive you and let you off.
You have to figure out how much you took, and do your best to work it out, then return it to your father and brother.
You do not have to tell them that you had stolen this money from them, rather the point is to return the money to its rightful owners in whatever way possible.
See also questions no. 31234 and 40157.
If you want to tell them what happened and ask for their forgiveness, this will not harm you, in sha Allaah, especially since you did this when you were a teenager and Allaah has now enabled you to repent from it. The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “The one who repents is like one who did not sin.” Narrated by Ibn Maajah, 4250; classed as saheeh by al-Albaani in Saheeh Ibn Maajah.
You must hasten to do that, because the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said to his companions one day:
“Do you know who is the one who is bankrupt?” They said: “Among us, the one who is bankrupt is the one who has no dirhams and no goods.” He said: “Rather the one who is bankrupt amongst my ummah is the one who will come on the Day of Resurrection with prayer, fasting and zakaah, but he will come having insulted this one, slandered that one, consumed the wealth of this one, shed the blood of that one and beaten this one, all of whom will be given some of his hasanaat (good deeds), and if his hasanaat run out before the scores have been settled, some of their sins will be taken and thrown onto him, then he will be cast into the Fire.” Narrated by Muslim, 2581.
We ask Allaah to accept your repentance, and to help you to say and do the right thing.
And Allaah knows best.
Praise be to Allaah.
What you did comes under the heading of stealing, but you regret what you have done and the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “Regret is repentance.” Narrated by Ahmad, 3558; Ibn Maajah (4252; classed as saheeh by al-Albaani in Saheeh Ibn Maajah. What is meant is that regret is the major part of repentance.
Praise be to Allaah that you have been guided to repent. Part of your repentance is returning things to their rightful owners, or asking them to forgive you and let you off.
You have to figure out how much you took, and do your best to work it out, then return it to your father and brother.
You do not have to tell them that you had stolen this money from them, rather the point is to return the money to its rightful owners in whatever way possible.
See also questions no. 31234 and 40157.
If you want to tell them what happened and ask for their forgiveness, this will not harm you, in sha Allaah, especially since you did this when you were a teenager and Allaah has now enabled you to repent from it. The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “The one who repents is like one who did not sin.” Narrated by Ibn Maajah, 4250; classed as saheeh by al-Albaani in Saheeh Ibn Maajah.
You must hasten to do that, because the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said to his companions one day:
“Do you know who is the one who is bankrupt?” They said: “Among us, the one who is bankrupt is the one who has no dirhams and no goods.” He said: “Rather the one who is bankrupt amongst my ummah is the one who will come on the Day of Resurrection with prayer, fasting and zakaah, but he will come having insulted this one, slandered that one, consumed the wealth of this one, shed the blood of that one and beaten this one, all of whom will be given some of his hasanaat (good deeds), and if his hasanaat run out before the scores have been settled, some of their sins will be taken and thrown onto him, then he will be cast into the Fire.” Narrated by Muslim, 2581.
We ask Allaah to accept your repentance, and to help you to say and do the right thing.
And Allaah knows best.
Every time he improves in worship, he goes back to sin
I have a problem. Every time I do more acts of worship and my faith improves and I do more naafil acts of worship, Sunnahs and things that are mustahabb, I end up committing the secret habit (masturbation) despite the fact that I am married and have a happy family life. When I do this thing I feel that I am committing sin and I feel ashamed before Allaah. So I strive to increase my faith but it is not long before I do the same thing again. I am in a bad situation – please help me.
I heard on a tape that some people are filled with self-admiration when they increase their acts of worship, so Allaah causes them to commit sin so that they will realize that they are still slaves who have no right to admire their deeds, and whatever they do is still only a little. Am I one of these people? Is what I understood from that tape correct?
Please note that, praise be to Allaah, I pray and adhere to most of the teachings of Islam, but this problem gets worse every time I do more naafil acts of worship. What is the solution? Please help me, may Allaah reward you with good.
Praise be to Allaah.
What you have mentioned – that Allaah may test a person with sin in order to bring him back to Him, and so that he will not admire himself – has been mentioned by some of the scholars. Ibn al-Qayyim (may Allaah have mercy on him) said:
“Sin may be more beneficial for a person, if it leads him to repent, than doing a lot of acts of worship. This is what is meant by the words of one of the salaf: ‘A person may commit a sin and enter Paradise because of it, or he may do an act of worship and enter Hell because of it.’ They said: ‘How is that?’ He said: ‘He may commit a sin and continues to think about it, and when he stands or sits or walks he remembers his sin, so he feels ashamed and repents and seeks forgiveness and regrets it, so that will be the means of his salvation. And he may do a good deed and continue to think about it, and when he stands or sits or walks he remembers it and it fills him with self-admiration and pride, so it is the cause of his doom. So the sin may be the factor that leads him to do acts of worship and good deeds and to change his attitude so that he fears Allaah and feels shy before Him and feels humiliated before Him, hanging his head in shame and weeping with regret, seeking he forgiveness of his Lord. Each of these effects is better for a person than an act of worship that makes him feel proud and show off and look down on people. Undoubtedly this sin is better before Allaah and is more likely to bring salvation than one who admires himself and looks down on others, and who thinks that he is doing Allaah a favour. Even if he says words that indicate something other than that, Allaah is the Witness over what is in his heart. Such a person may feel hatred towards people if they do not hold him in high esteem and humiliate themselves before him. If he were to examine himself honestly, he would see that clearly.” Madaarij al-Saalikeen, 1/299
Shaykh Ibn ‘Uthaymeen said:
“How often is it the case that one of us will be better after committing sin than he was before. In many instances a person errs and falls into sin, then he feels ashamed in his heart before Allaah and he turns to Him and repents to Him, so that he thinks of that sin all the time and continually regrets it and seeks forgiveness. But another person may think that he is obedient (towards Allaah) and that he is one of the people who obey and worship Him, so he starts to admire himself and does not turn to Allaah, which adversely affects his religious commitment. Allaah is Wise and may test a person with sin in order to set him straight, just as He may test a person with hunger in order to improve his health. Adam was only chosen after he had committed sin and repented therefrom.
As Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):
“Then his Lord chose him, and turned to him with forgiveness, and gave him guidance” [Ta-Ha 20:122] i.e., after he had sinned and repented, his Lord chose him and accepted his repentance and guided him. Looks at those who stayed behind from the campaign of Tabook – what happened to them? Undoubtedly their faith increased and they attained a higher status than they had before. Could the verses concerning them that will be recited until the Day of Resurrection have been revealed if they had not done that then repented to Allaah?”
al-Sharh al-Mumti’, 3/66
Moreover it should be noted that this habit is haraam according to sharee’ah, as is indicated by the Book of Allaah and the Sunnah of His Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him). We have already quoted the evidence in detail in the answer to question no. 329. This habit is also something that is regarded as repulsive according to man’s instincts and reason, and it is not befitting for a Muslim to lower himself to the level of doing that.
It should also be noted that sin has a negative effect on a person in this world and in the Hereafter, if he does not repent and if Allaah does not bestow His mercy upon him. We have already discussed this in detail in the following questions: 23425 and 8861.
There are causes for this habit, so keep away from them so that you will be able to give it up. You should do the following things:
1- Strive to keep company with good, righteous, pious people, and learn from them and their experiences.
2- Always remember Allaah and recite Qur’aan, and adopt a daily wird (collection of du’aa’s and dhikrs) that you recite every day without fail.
3- Set yourself a program for learning Islamic knowledge etc.
4- Set yourself an exercise program, or join a sports club
5- Do a lot of naafil acts of worship, especially voluntary fasts, for this is an important means of resisting temptation and reducing desire.
6- Strive in making du’aa’ and ask Allaah to rid you of this forbidden bad habit and to strengthen your resolve.
7- Remember that the harms caused by the secret habit are innumerable; it weakens the body, saps one’s strength, and increases the distance between a person and his Lord. It is a major factor in depression and feelings of sin.
8- Avoid being alone as much as possible, because this habit is one of the effects of being alone.
9- Try to pray in the mosque, and pray qiyaam al-layl, because this will bring tranquility to the heart.
10-Finally, you have to repent continually, weep with fear of Allaah, humble yourself before Him, and ask Him to forgive you. If you resolve firmly each time not to go back to that habit, then your nafs threatens to overwhelm you, then resist it. “But as for him who feared standing before his Lord, and restrained himself from impure evil desires and lusts, Verily, Paradise will be his abode” [al-Naazi’aat 79:40 – interpretation of the meaning]. If you give in, then repent anew, and renew your promise (not to do it again). Do not despair of the mercy of Allaah, and do a great deal of naafil acts of worship and righteous deeds. “And perform As-Salaat (Iqaamat-as- Salaat), at the two ends of the day and in some hours of the night [i.e. the five compulsory Salaat (prayers)]. Verily, the good deeds remove the evil deeds (i.e. small sins). That is a reminder (an advice) for the mindful (those who accept advice)” [Hood 11:114].
May Allaah help you to do all that is good.
I heard on a tape that some people are filled with self-admiration when they increase their acts of worship, so Allaah causes them to commit sin so that they will realize that they are still slaves who have no right to admire their deeds, and whatever they do is still only a little. Am I one of these people? Is what I understood from that tape correct?
Please note that, praise be to Allaah, I pray and adhere to most of the teachings of Islam, but this problem gets worse every time I do more naafil acts of worship. What is the solution? Please help me, may Allaah reward you with good.
Praise be to Allaah.
What you have mentioned – that Allaah may test a person with sin in order to bring him back to Him, and so that he will not admire himself – has been mentioned by some of the scholars. Ibn al-Qayyim (may Allaah have mercy on him) said:
“Sin may be more beneficial for a person, if it leads him to repent, than doing a lot of acts of worship. This is what is meant by the words of one of the salaf: ‘A person may commit a sin and enter Paradise because of it, or he may do an act of worship and enter Hell because of it.’ They said: ‘How is that?’ He said: ‘He may commit a sin and continues to think about it, and when he stands or sits or walks he remembers his sin, so he feels ashamed and repents and seeks forgiveness and regrets it, so that will be the means of his salvation. And he may do a good deed and continue to think about it, and when he stands or sits or walks he remembers it and it fills him with self-admiration and pride, so it is the cause of his doom. So the sin may be the factor that leads him to do acts of worship and good deeds and to change his attitude so that he fears Allaah and feels shy before Him and feels humiliated before Him, hanging his head in shame and weeping with regret, seeking he forgiveness of his Lord. Each of these effects is better for a person than an act of worship that makes him feel proud and show off and look down on people. Undoubtedly this sin is better before Allaah and is more likely to bring salvation than one who admires himself and looks down on others, and who thinks that he is doing Allaah a favour. Even if he says words that indicate something other than that, Allaah is the Witness over what is in his heart. Such a person may feel hatred towards people if they do not hold him in high esteem and humiliate themselves before him. If he were to examine himself honestly, he would see that clearly.” Madaarij al-Saalikeen, 1/299
Shaykh Ibn ‘Uthaymeen said:
“How often is it the case that one of us will be better after committing sin than he was before. In many instances a person errs and falls into sin, then he feels ashamed in his heart before Allaah and he turns to Him and repents to Him, so that he thinks of that sin all the time and continually regrets it and seeks forgiveness. But another person may think that he is obedient (towards Allaah) and that he is one of the people who obey and worship Him, so he starts to admire himself and does not turn to Allaah, which adversely affects his religious commitment. Allaah is Wise and may test a person with sin in order to set him straight, just as He may test a person with hunger in order to improve his health. Adam was only chosen after he had committed sin and repented therefrom.
As Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):
“Then his Lord chose him, and turned to him with forgiveness, and gave him guidance” [Ta-Ha 20:122] i.e., after he had sinned and repented, his Lord chose him and accepted his repentance and guided him. Looks at those who stayed behind from the campaign of Tabook – what happened to them? Undoubtedly their faith increased and they attained a higher status than they had before. Could the verses concerning them that will be recited until the Day of Resurrection have been revealed if they had not done that then repented to Allaah?”
al-Sharh al-Mumti’, 3/66
Moreover it should be noted that this habit is haraam according to sharee’ah, as is indicated by the Book of Allaah and the Sunnah of His Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him). We have already quoted the evidence in detail in the answer to question no. 329. This habit is also something that is regarded as repulsive according to man’s instincts and reason, and it is not befitting for a Muslim to lower himself to the level of doing that.
It should also be noted that sin has a negative effect on a person in this world and in the Hereafter, if he does not repent and if Allaah does not bestow His mercy upon him. We have already discussed this in detail in the following questions: 23425 and 8861.
There are causes for this habit, so keep away from them so that you will be able to give it up. You should do the following things:
1- Strive to keep company with good, righteous, pious people, and learn from them and their experiences.
2- Always remember Allaah and recite Qur’aan, and adopt a daily wird (collection of du’aa’s and dhikrs) that you recite every day without fail.
3- Set yourself a program for learning Islamic knowledge etc.
4- Set yourself an exercise program, or join a sports club
5- Do a lot of naafil acts of worship, especially voluntary fasts, for this is an important means of resisting temptation and reducing desire.
6- Strive in making du’aa’ and ask Allaah to rid you of this forbidden bad habit and to strengthen your resolve.
7- Remember that the harms caused by the secret habit are innumerable; it weakens the body, saps one’s strength, and increases the distance between a person and his Lord. It is a major factor in depression and feelings of sin.
8- Avoid being alone as much as possible, because this habit is one of the effects of being alone.
9- Try to pray in the mosque, and pray qiyaam al-layl, because this will bring tranquility to the heart.
10-Finally, you have to repent continually, weep with fear of Allaah, humble yourself before Him, and ask Him to forgive you. If you resolve firmly each time not to go back to that habit, then your nafs threatens to overwhelm you, then resist it. “But as for him who feared standing before his Lord, and restrained himself from impure evil desires and lusts, Verily, Paradise will be his abode” [al-Naazi’aat 79:40 – interpretation of the meaning]. If you give in, then repent anew, and renew your promise (not to do it again). Do not despair of the mercy of Allaah, and do a great deal of naafil acts of worship and righteous deeds. “And perform As-Salaat (Iqaamat-as- Salaat), at the two ends of the day and in some hours of the night [i.e. the five compulsory Salaat (prayers)]. Verily, the good deeds remove the evil deeds (i.e. small sins). That is a reminder (an advice) for the mindful (those who accept advice)” [Hood 11:114].
May Allaah help you to do all that is good.
They called upon the angels to witness their marriage
I am a female student living on my ownaway from my family.... i became friendz with one of my colleges last yr .he was ill those days and even had some more problemsin whichhe definitelyneededsomeoneto rely on and few words of strenght.i became thatsupport for him that time.I thought it is nice to help people.....Alllah would reward me for that .But after amonthor sdo we became very good friendzand later got much involved in each other.till now we never touched each other..... once we were playing,i dont remember what happened that day ....he leaned on me and kissed me .both of us being muslims felt guityand at our own placdfes asked forgiveness from allah ...and i dont remember how the same thing happened once moreand we decided to marry...As we were students and due to some economical and social problems we were not able to do it properly and disclose it .....Moreover we nthought its allah who knows everything and we should be clear infront of him. one night after offering salat of isha and two rakaa' of nafilahwe started searching for verses and rules and regulations of marriage in quran.We found some lines but not exact what we wanted that time ....Any how we read few verses from it and sweared holding quran in our hands that we consider each other as our spouse.and would never betray each other ...and thought Angels wouild be our witnesses. and therefore we thought we are married..and kissing and holding each other never haunted us...and we never felt guilt... after 3 months or so ,as we thought we are married many times we shared bed. This yr (after11/12 months),i was reading some questions on this site on divorce and marriage ...(i used this site earlier but never used it for this topic as i never thought i did wrong ...)and there i foundcertain questionslike this but not exactly...there arouse a doubt in my mind that i am practicing wrong thingsso i spoke to him and we stopped practicing it .... sir,we want to know ,whether this marriage is considered or not ...? have we done "zinna"and whether we will be punished for it even if we repent... And sir,if we want to marry in futurecan we marry(if our marriage is not considered)? .
Praise be to Allaah.
What happened between that man and that woman – based on what is mentioned in the question – is undoubtedly zina. Where was the woman’s wali (guardian) in this marriage? It is strange that the angels were witnesses to this marriage but they did not see those witnesses.
What you have to do is repent to Allaah from what you have done, and realize that you have committed a major sin. The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “No adulterer is a believer at the time when he is committing adultery.” Narrated by al-Bukhaari (2343) and Muslim (57). For more information please see question no. 11195 and 21223.
If a person repents, Allaah rejoices at his repentance and accepts it and forgives him, as Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):
“And those who invoke not any other ilaah (god) along with Allaah, nor kill such person as Allaah has forbidden, except for just cause, nor commit illegal sexual intercourse and whoever does this shall receive the punishment.
69. The torment will be doubled to him on the Day of Resurrection, and he will abide therein in disgrace;
70. Except those who repent and believe (in Islamic Monotheism), and do righteous deeds; for those, Allaah will change their sins into good deeds, and Allaah is Oft‑Forgiving, Most Merciful”
[al-Furqaan 25:68-70]
See also questions no. 27113, 624 and 20949.
They have to cut off all ties with one another, so as to close the door to temptation and desire. If they want to have a good, legitimate relationship, then they should enter houses by the proper doors, as Allaah has prescribed, and they have to fear Allaah and be patient in heeding His sacred limits. A person may be able to put up with the pain of separation but he will not be able to put up with the heat of the Fire. So let them keep away from one another, so that they will not fall into doing that which will earn the wrath and punishment of Allaah, or let them hasten to get married in the proper Islamic manner, after repenting from what they have fallen into of zina. And Allaah knows best.
Praise be to Allaah.
What happened between that man and that woman – based on what is mentioned in the question – is undoubtedly zina. Where was the woman’s wali (guardian) in this marriage? It is strange that the angels were witnesses to this marriage but they did not see those witnesses.
What you have to do is repent to Allaah from what you have done, and realize that you have committed a major sin. The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “No adulterer is a believer at the time when he is committing adultery.” Narrated by al-Bukhaari (2343) and Muslim (57). For more information please see question no. 11195 and 21223.
If a person repents, Allaah rejoices at his repentance and accepts it and forgives him, as Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):
“And those who invoke not any other ilaah (god) along with Allaah, nor kill such person as Allaah has forbidden, except for just cause, nor commit illegal sexual intercourse and whoever does this shall receive the punishment.
69. The torment will be doubled to him on the Day of Resurrection, and he will abide therein in disgrace;
70. Except those who repent and believe (in Islamic Monotheism), and do righteous deeds; for those, Allaah will change their sins into good deeds, and Allaah is Oft‑Forgiving, Most Merciful”
[al-Furqaan 25:68-70]
See also questions no. 27113, 624 and 20949.
They have to cut off all ties with one another, so as to close the door to temptation and desire. If they want to have a good, legitimate relationship, then they should enter houses by the proper doors, as Allaah has prescribed, and they have to fear Allaah and be patient in heeding His sacred limits. A person may be able to put up with the pain of separation but he will not be able to put up with the heat of the Fire. So let them keep away from one another, so that they will not fall into doing that which will earn the wrath and punishment of Allaah, or let them hasten to get married in the proper Islamic manner, after repenting from what they have fallen into of zina. And Allaah knows best.
A repenter wants to know some du’aa’s he can recite
As-salaamu-alaikum,
I have been a great sinner before. I did not read my salaat often enough, did not make zikr, read durood,etc.
Recently, I experienced some misfortune in my life and I have only myself to blame. This misfortune, has opened my eyes in many ways and I have started a complete turn-around of my previous lifestyle. I need to know if there is anything I may read daily to become closer to The Almighty and really focus on doing good to wipe out the evils/sins of my previous lifestyle. Is there things I may read while I am working too?
Praise be to Allaah.
All praise be to Allaah for the great blessing which He has bestowed upon you by guiding you to the way of truth after you had been astray, and for your return to Him after you had been a sinner, neglecting His laws. We ask Him, may He be glorified, to complete His favour upon you by guiding you further and making you adhere steadfastly to His religion. As regards what you should do about your past and how you can make up for what you have missed, you will find detailed answers in the book “.."I Want to Repent, But...",
With regard to du’aa’s to do with repentance that you can recite every day and whilst at work, al-hamdulillah there are many such du’aa’s, among the greatest of which are as follows:
“Rabbi’ghfir wa’rham wa anta khayru’l-raahimeen (My Lord! Forgive and show mercy, for You are the Best of those who show mercy!)” [al-Mu’minoon 23:118 – interpretation of the meaning].
“Rabbanaa ‘ghfar lanaa dhunoobanaa wa israafanaa fi amrinaa (Our Lord! Forgive us our sins and transgressions (in keeping our duties to You).” [Aal ‘Imraan 3:147 – interpretation of the meaning].
Shaddaad ibn Aws (may Allaah be pleased with him) reported that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “The best prayer for seeking forgiveness is to say: ‘Allaahumma anta rabbi la ilaaha illa anta, Khalaqtani wa ana ‘abduka wa ana ‘ala ‘ahdika wa wa’dika ma astata’t. A’oodhu bika min sharri ma sana’tu, aboo’u laka bi ni’matika ‘alayya wa aboo’u laka bi dhanbi, faghfir li fa innahu laa yaghfiru’l-dhunoob illaa anta (O Allaah, You are my Lord. None has the right to be worshipped but You. You created me and I am Your slave, and I am faithful to my covenant and my promise (to You) as much as I can. I seek refuge with You from all the evil I have done. I acknowledge before You all the blessings You have bestowed upon me, and I confess to You all my sins. So I entreat You to forgive my sins, for nobody can forgive sins except You).” Whoever says this during the day, having faith in it and dies before the evening comes, will be among the people of Paradise, and whoever says it during the night, having faith in it, and dies before the morning comes, will be among the people of Paradise.” (Reported by al-Bukhaari, 5831).
Abu Moosa reported that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) used to recite the following du’aa’: “Allaahumma’ghfir li khatee’ati wa jahli wa israafi fi amri wa maa anta a’lam bihi minni. Allaahumma’ghfir li jiddi wa hazli wa khata’i wa ‘amdi wa kullu dhaalika ‘indi. Allaahumma’ghfir li maa qaddamtu wa maa ajjartu wa ma asrartu wa maa a’lamtu wa maa anta a’lam bihi minni. Anta’l-muqaddim wa anta’l-mu’akhkhir wa anta ‘ala kulli shay’in qadeer ( Allaah, forgive me for my sin. My ignorance and my transgression (in keeping my duty to You), and whatever You know about me better than I do. O Allaah, forgive me for sins committed in earnest and in jest, by mistake and deliberately, and I have done all of that. O Allaah, forgive me for what I have done in the past and what I will do in the future, what I have done in secret and what I have done openly, and whatever You know about me better than I do. You are the One Who raises and lowers people’s status, and You are Able to do all things).” (Reported by al-Bukhaari, 5919, and Muslim, 4896. This version reported by Muslim).
Ibn ‘Umar reported that the people counted for the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) when he recited one hundred times in one gathering: “Raabi’ghfir li wa tubb ‘alayya innaka anta’l-tawwaab ul-ghafoor (My Lord, forgive me and accept my repentance, for You are the Acceptor or Repentance, the All-Forgiving).” (Reported by al-Tirmidhi, 3356. He said, This is a ghareeb saheeh hasan hadeeth). May Allaah bless our Prophet Muhammad.
I have been a great sinner before. I did not read my salaat often enough, did not make zikr, read durood,etc.
Recently, I experienced some misfortune in my life and I have only myself to blame. This misfortune, has opened my eyes in many ways and I have started a complete turn-around of my previous lifestyle. I need to know if there is anything I may read daily to become closer to The Almighty and really focus on doing good to wipe out the evils/sins of my previous lifestyle. Is there things I may read while I am working too?
Praise be to Allaah.
All praise be to Allaah for the great blessing which He has bestowed upon you by guiding you to the way of truth after you had been astray, and for your return to Him after you had been a sinner, neglecting His laws. We ask Him, may He be glorified, to complete His favour upon you by guiding you further and making you adhere steadfastly to His religion. As regards what you should do about your past and how you can make up for what you have missed, you will find detailed answers in the book “.."I Want to Repent, But...",
With regard to du’aa’s to do with repentance that you can recite every day and whilst at work, al-hamdulillah there are many such du’aa’s, among the greatest of which are as follows:
“Rabbi’ghfir wa’rham wa anta khayru’l-raahimeen (My Lord! Forgive and show mercy, for You are the Best of those who show mercy!)” [al-Mu’minoon 23:118 – interpretation of the meaning].
“Rabbanaa ‘ghfar lanaa dhunoobanaa wa israafanaa fi amrinaa (Our Lord! Forgive us our sins and transgressions (in keeping our duties to You).” [Aal ‘Imraan 3:147 – interpretation of the meaning].
Shaddaad ibn Aws (may Allaah be pleased with him) reported that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “The best prayer for seeking forgiveness is to say: ‘Allaahumma anta rabbi la ilaaha illa anta, Khalaqtani wa ana ‘abduka wa ana ‘ala ‘ahdika wa wa’dika ma astata’t. A’oodhu bika min sharri ma sana’tu, aboo’u laka bi ni’matika ‘alayya wa aboo’u laka bi dhanbi, faghfir li fa innahu laa yaghfiru’l-dhunoob illaa anta (O Allaah, You are my Lord. None has the right to be worshipped but You. You created me and I am Your slave, and I am faithful to my covenant and my promise (to You) as much as I can. I seek refuge with You from all the evil I have done. I acknowledge before You all the blessings You have bestowed upon me, and I confess to You all my sins. So I entreat You to forgive my sins, for nobody can forgive sins except You).” Whoever says this during the day, having faith in it and dies before the evening comes, will be among the people of Paradise, and whoever says it during the night, having faith in it, and dies before the morning comes, will be among the people of Paradise.” (Reported by al-Bukhaari, 5831).
Abu Moosa reported that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) used to recite the following du’aa’: “Allaahumma’ghfir li khatee’ati wa jahli wa israafi fi amri wa maa anta a’lam bihi minni. Allaahumma’ghfir li jiddi wa hazli wa khata’i wa ‘amdi wa kullu dhaalika ‘indi. Allaahumma’ghfir li maa qaddamtu wa maa ajjartu wa ma asrartu wa maa a’lamtu wa maa anta a’lam bihi minni. Anta’l-muqaddim wa anta’l-mu’akhkhir wa anta ‘ala kulli shay’in qadeer ( Allaah, forgive me for my sin. My ignorance and my transgression (in keeping my duty to You), and whatever You know about me better than I do. O Allaah, forgive me for sins committed in earnest and in jest, by mistake and deliberately, and I have done all of that. O Allaah, forgive me for what I have done in the past and what I will do in the future, what I have done in secret and what I have done openly, and whatever You know about me better than I do. You are the One Who raises and lowers people’s status, and You are Able to do all things).” (Reported by al-Bukhaari, 5919, and Muslim, 4896. This version reported by Muslim).
Ibn ‘Umar reported that the people counted for the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) when he recited one hundred times in one gathering: “Raabi’ghfir li wa tubb ‘alayya innaka anta’l-tawwaab ul-ghafoor (My Lord, forgive me and accept my repentance, for You are the Acceptor or Repentance, the All-Forgiving).” (Reported by al-Tirmidhi, 3356. He said, This is a ghareeb saheeh hasan hadeeth). May Allaah bless our Prophet Muhammad.
He used to take money without his parents’ knowledge; what should he do now?
I have a very important question, which I hope you can answer. My father has a store in which he sells cards for public telephones. Every time I needed a card I used to tell my father or my mother that I was going to take a card from the store and they would let me do that. But there came a time when I needed a card nearly every day. And I would take a card with the knowledge of the clerk who was working in the store, but I did not tell my father or mother, because I felt that they would never agree to that. When I realized how wrong this was, I never took anything without their knowledge after that. I regretted what I had done and repented to Allaah. Is repentance enough or do I have to tell them what I was doing? Or can I at least take part of my own money and give it to them without them knowing that it was me who gave them this money, because I cannot tell them openly? Can I give them the money until I have paid off what I took, knowing that I do not know the true amount I took because I took so many cards?.
Praise be to Allaah.
We hope that when you used a lot of these cards it was for good and permissible purposes, because if it was used for the opposite then your using them will be compounded by other sins too, so you should pay attention to this fact.
As you have acknowledged that you were wrong to take these cards without your parents’ permission, you have to repent from doing that – praise be to Allaah Who has guided you to repent and regret your actions. But you should understand that there are conditions for repentance, which is not valid unless they are met. These conditions include: immediately giving up the forbidden action, resolving not to go back to it, and restoring people’s rightful property or seeking their forgiveness. You do not have to tell your father what you did, rather what you have to do is to return the money in whatever way you can. You should try hard to figure out the value of the cards you took without your father’s permission, and give this money to him.
We ask Allaah to accept your repentance and to guide you to do righteous deeds. And Allaah knows best.
For more information see the answers to questions no. 43100, 33858, 31234, 40157
And Allaah knows best.
From learning Quran online Blog
To all Muslim we should listen to Quran and try to learn Quran online with translation to understand the holy scripture and it is must for us to read Quran online, and availing the knowledge through learning Arabic Quran this is the main deauty that we have to promote and learn holy quran so that the true words of Allah should be spread we should try to learn quran tafseer the translation as well so we could explain and understand that what ever te quran tutor teaches more articles can be found under learning Quran online Blog a recourse full collection of hadith bukhari shrif and a read Quran online or you can listen holy Quran recitation for top quran reciters and you can find Quran for kids and quran teaching staff online to learn quran from where ever you want to learn the teaching of Koran and they provide tajweed quran lessons and Quran memorization classes well plz link to it and share it to promote the teachings of islam
End from free Download quran blog
Praise be to Allaah.
We hope that when you used a lot of these cards it was for good and permissible purposes, because if it was used for the opposite then your using them will be compounded by other sins too, so you should pay attention to this fact.
As you have acknowledged that you were wrong to take these cards without your parents’ permission, you have to repent from doing that – praise be to Allaah Who has guided you to repent and regret your actions. But you should understand that there are conditions for repentance, which is not valid unless they are met. These conditions include: immediately giving up the forbidden action, resolving not to go back to it, and restoring people’s rightful property or seeking their forgiveness. You do not have to tell your father what you did, rather what you have to do is to return the money in whatever way you can. You should try hard to figure out the value of the cards you took without your father’s permission, and give this money to him.
We ask Allaah to accept your repentance and to guide you to do righteous deeds. And Allaah knows best.
For more information see the answers to questions no. 43100, 33858, 31234, 40157
And Allaah knows best.
From learning Quran online Blog
To all Muslim we should listen to Quran and try to learn Quran online with translation to understand the holy scripture and it is must for us to read Quran online, and availing the knowledge through learning Arabic Quran this is the main deauty that we have to promote and learn holy quran so that the true words of Allah should be spread we should try to learn quran tafseer the translation as well so we could explain and understand that what ever te quran tutor teaches more articles can be found under learning Quran online Blog a recourse full collection of hadith bukhari shrif and a read Quran online or you can listen holy Quran recitation for top quran reciters and you can find Quran for kids and quran teaching staff online to learn quran from where ever you want to learn the teaching of Koran and they provide tajweed quran lessons and Quran memorization classes well plz link to it and share it to promote the teachings of islam
End from free Download quran blog
He wants to repent from homosexuality and needs help
I am a very serious muslim who reverted to islam many years ago. i was sexually abused as a child and after that, i am attracted to males as well as females. it is something that i hate within myself, but i don't know how to change it. i don't commit the actual sin often, but i do it sometime. after i do it, i hate it as i know ALLAH hates such perversion. the problem is that i am unable to help myself. i try and try to change, but i am unable to change. i beg and continue to beg ALLAH for help. i have also confessed in front of muslims seeking help, and i have been in therapy. the main thing is that i love ALLAH and the sunnah, and everything else in my life reflects this love. i am constantly striving for the pleasure and nearness of ALLAH. please please please help me. since i am plagued with this sickness, i understand why the sharia mandates that death is the punishment for homosexuality. i am potentially big and serious problem within the ummah. as long as i am alive, i may commit this perversive act. all of my friends are ,uslim and all of them are serious muslims like me. the shaitan may whisper to us and use me to detroy me and a friend's iman. please help me. i am ready to go anywhere i need to go so that i can be subjected to the beautiful and complete sharia of ALLAH. i don't want to commit this sin anymore, and i don't want to be a threat to any of ALLAH's servants. please help me soon. i don't know where else to turn.
Praise be to Allaah.
We will discuss four points with you and no more than that, and we hope that you will read them carefully. These four points are: the abhorrent nature of the sin of homosexuality; the damaging effects it has on health; the greatness of Allaah’s mercy to those who repent; and ways of dealing with this problem.
1 – The abhorrent nature of the sin of homosexuality
Ibn al-Qayyim said concerning the people of Loot:
Those who support the first view – who are the majority of the ummah, and more than one narrated that there was consensus among the Sahaabah on this point – said that there is no sin that causes more corruption than the sin of homosexuality. It is second only to the sin of kufr, and may be greater than the sin of murder, as we shall see below in sha Allaah.
They said: Allaah did not test anyone with this major sin before the people of Loot, and He punished them with a punishment that he did not send upon any other nation. He sent upon them various kinds of punishment: they were destroyed, their houses were turned upside down, the earth swallowed them up, they were pelted with stones from the sky, their eyes were blinded, they were tormented and their torment was made ongoing. So they were punished severely in a way that no other nation was punished, and that was because of the evilness of this crime which almost causes the earth to shake when it is done on it; and the angels flee to the ends of the heavens and the earth when they witness it, fearing that the punishment may come upon its people and strike them too; and the earth cries out to its Lord, and the mountains almost collapse.
Killing the one to whom it is done would be better for him than having intercourse with him, for if a man has intercourse with him he corrupts him in such a way that life is no longer worth living, unlike killing him in a real sense, in which case he would be a martyr who had been wronged, which may be of benefit to him in the Hereafter.
And he said:
The companions of the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) agreed unanimously that he should be put to death, and none of them disagreed about that. Rather they differed with regard to the manner in which he should be put to death. Some of the people thought that the difference of opinion had to do with whether [the homosexual] should be executed, and they narrated it as being a point of dispute among the Sahaabah, whereas in fact it was a matter on which there was consensus.
Whoever ponders the verse in which Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):
“And come not near to unlawful sex. Verily, it is a Faahishah (i.e. anything that transgresses its limits: a great sin, and an evil way that leads one to hell unless Allaah Forgives him)”
[al-Isra’ 17:32]
And the verse in which He says concerning homosexuality (interpretation of the meaning):
“And (remember) Loot (Lot), when he said to his people: “Do you commit the worst sin such as none preceding you has committed in the ‘Aalameen (mankind and jinn)?”
[al-A’raaf 7:80]
will see a difference between the two. For Allaah mentioned zina without the definite article, indicating it is a kind of evil action, but He mentioned homosexuality (liwaat) with the definite article al-, which means that it encompasses all aspects of faahishah or evil.
Then Allaah confirms that and states that no one in the ‘aalameen (mankind and jinn) ever did this before them, as He says, “such as none preceding you has committed in the ‘Aalameen (mankind and jinn)”. Then He emphasizes that even further by mentioning it a blunt manner that demonstrates the abhorrent nature of this action, which is a man having intercourse with a man as a man has intercourse with a woman, and He says (interpretation of the meaning):
“Verily, you practise your lusts on men instead of women”
[al-A’raaf 7:81]
Then Allaah confirms how abhorrent that is by stating that the homosexuals distort the nature with which Allaah has created men, which is to desire women rather than men. They have twisted the natural order and they approach men with desire rather than women. Hence Allaah turned their houses upside down and their hearts likewise, and they were turned upside down, as a punishment.
Then Allaah reiterated the abhorrence of their actions by judging them to have transgressed all bounds as He says (interpretation of the meaning):
“Nay, but you are a people transgressing beyond bounds (by committing great sins)”
[al-A’raaf 7:81]
Think about this: was this, or anything similar, said concerning adultery? And Allaah reiterated the abhorrent nature of their action when He said (interpretation of the meaning):
“and We saved him from the town (folk) who practised Al‑Khabaa’ith (evil, wicked and filthy deeds)”
[al-Anbiya’ 21:74]
Then Allaah the All-Knowing condemned them further by describing them as being extremely evil, as He said (interpretation of the meaning):
“Verily, they were a people given to evil, and were Faasiqoon (rebellious, disobedient to Allaah)”
[al-Anbiya’ 21:74]
And He described them as mufsidoon (evildoers etc), as He said (interpretation of the meaning):
“My Lord! Give me victory over the people who are Mufsidoon (those who commit great crimes and sins, oppressors, tyrants, mischief‑makers, corrupters).”
[al-‘Ankaboot 29:30]
And He called them zaalimoon (wrongdoers), in the words that the angels said to Ibraaheem (peace be upon him) (interpretation of the meaning):
“Verily, we are going to destroy the people of this [Loot (Lot’s)] town (i.e. the town of Sodom in Palestine); truly, its people have been Zaalimoon [wrongdoers, polytheists disobedient to Allaah, and belied their Messenger Loot (Lot)]”
[al-‘Ankaboot 29:31]
Think about those who have been punished in these ways, and whom Allaah has condemned in such terms.
And he said:
Pleasure ceased and was followed with loss; desires ended and led to misery; they enjoyed themselves for a little while, but will be punished for a long time. They grazed on filth, and they suffer a painful torment. They were intoxicated with those desires, but they have awoken in the abode of the tormented. They feel the greatest regret, by Allaah, at the time when regret is to no avail. They weep for what they did before, with tears of blood. If only you could see the highest and lowest of this group, with fire coming out from their faces and bodies when they are in the depths of Hell, drinking cups of boiling water instead of delightful drinks, being told as they are being dragged on their faces, “Taste of that which you used to earn.”
“Taste you therein its heat and whether you are patient of it or impatient of it, it is all the same. You are only being requited for what you used to do”
[al-Toor 52:16 – interpretation of the meaning]
Adapted from al-Jawaab al-Kaafi, pp. 240-245.
2 – The damaging effects it has on health:
Dr Mahmoud al-Hijaazi said in his book al-Amraad al-Jinsiyyah wa’l-Tanaasuliyyah (Sexual and genital diseases), when discussing some of the dangers to health caused by committing sodomy:
The diseases which are transmitted by way of sexual perversion (homosexuality) are:
1. AIDS, which causes loss of acquired immunity and usually leads to death.
2. Viral inflammation of the liver
3. Syphilis
4. Gonorrhea
5. Herpes
6. Bacterial inflammation of the anus
7. Typhoid
8. Amoebiasis
9. Intestinal worms
10. Anal warts
11. Scabies
12. Pubic lice (“crabs”)
13. Cytomegalovirus that may lead to anal cancer
14. Genital-lymphatic pustules
3 – The greatness of Allaah’s mercy to those who repent
From the above it is clear that this immoral action is seriously wrong and abhorrent, and leads to harmful consequences. Nevertheless the door is open for sinners to repent, and Allaah rejoices at their repentance.
Think about what Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):
“And those who invoke not any other ilaah (god) along with Allaah, nor kill such person as Allaah has forbidden, except for just cause, nor commit illegal sexual intercourse and whoever does this shall receive the punishment.
The torment will be doubled to him on the Day of Resurrection, and he will abide therein in disgrace;
Except those who repent and believe (in Islamic Monotheism), and do righteous deeds; for those, Allaah will change their sins into good deeds, and Allaah is Oft‑Forgiving, Most Merciful”
[al-Furqaan 25:68-70]
By thinking about the words, “Allaah will change their sins into good deeds”, you will see how great is the bounty of Allaah the Almighty.
The scholars said that there are two meanings of the word “change”:
(i) Bad attributes will be turned into good attributes, such as their shirk being turned into faith, their adultery into chastity, their lying into honesty, their treachery into trustworthiness, and so on.
(ii) The bad deeds that they have done will be turned into good deeds on the Day of Resurrection.
So what you must do is repent to Allaah and know that your coming back to Him is better for you and your family and your brothers and the entire society.
Remember that life is short, and that the Hereafter is better and more lasting. Do not forget that Allaah destroyed the people of Loot in a way that He did not destroy any other nation.
4 – Ways of dealing with this problem
(i) Keeping away from the things that make it easy for you to fall into this sin and remind you of it, such as:
- Letting your gaze wander and looking at women or movies
- Being alone with any man or woman
(ii) Always keeping yourself busy with things that will benefit you in your religious or worldly affairs, as Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):
“So when you have finished (your occupation), devote yourself for Allaah’s worship”
[al-Sharh 94:7]
So when you have finished with some worldly task, then strive to do something that will benefit you in the Hereafter, such as remembering Allaah (dhikr), reading Qur’aan, seeking knowledge, listening to useful tapes, etc.
When you finish one act of worship then start another, and if you finish one worldly task then start another… and so on, because if you do not keep your nafs (self) busy with good things, it will keep you busy with bad things. So do not give your nafs any opportunity or spare time to think about this evil action.
(iii) Compare the pleasure you feel when committing this sin with the regret, anxiety and confusion that follow it and stay with you for a long time, and then the torment that awaits the one who does that in the Hereafter. Do you think that any wise man would give precedence to this pleasure which vanishes after an hour over the regret and torment that follow? You can become more convinced of this if you read the book by Ibn al-Qayyim, al-Jawaab al-Kaafi li man sa’ala ‘an al-Dawa’ al-Shaafi. He wrote it for people in a situation like yours. May Allaah make things easy for us and for you.
(iv) The wise man does not give up a thing that he loves except for something that he loves more, or for fear of something he dislikes. This evil action will cause you to lose the blessings of this world and the Hereafter, to lose Allaah’s love for you, and will incur the anger, wrath and punishment of Allaah.
Compare the good you will lose and the evil that will come to you because of this evil action. The wise man will see which should take precedence.
(v) More important than all of the above is making du’aa’ and seeking the help of Allaah to ward off this evil from you. Make the most of the times and situations in which prayers are answered, such as sujood (prostration), before the tasleem at the end of prayer, the last third of the night, when it is raining, when travelling, when fasting, and when breaking the fast.
We ask Allaah to guide you and to accept your repentance, and to help you to avoid bad deeds and bad attitudes.
And Allaah knows best.
Learning quran and understand the teaching of quran
Learn Quran it brings happiness in this world and the Here after. Reading quran online inspires a man to explore the Arabic quran teachings in a new manner and see the world in a different way the way of truth and guidance. Learn holy Quran it brings happiness in this world and the world after death. The Prophet (Peace be upon him) said: If you desire the life of the fortunate, the death of a martyr, the salvation on the Day of Regret and the shade on the Day of Extreme Heat, then you should study the Quranic education because it is the word of the Merciful, a sanctuary from Shaytaan and a causes the tilting of the Balance. It is the deputy of every Muslim to spread the word of justice let teach kids quran from the beginning the quran quida and ask then for listening to quran online from different reciter’s and learn quran tafsir and the quranic tafseer with translation and let the do quran memorization and learn tajweed quran rules from quran tutor and guide them to spread the word of peace
Praise be to Allaah.
We will discuss four points with you and no more than that, and we hope that you will read them carefully. These four points are: the abhorrent nature of the sin of homosexuality; the damaging effects it has on health; the greatness of Allaah’s mercy to those who repent; and ways of dealing with this problem.
1 – The abhorrent nature of the sin of homosexuality
Ibn al-Qayyim said concerning the people of Loot:
Those who support the first view – who are the majority of the ummah, and more than one narrated that there was consensus among the Sahaabah on this point – said that there is no sin that causes more corruption than the sin of homosexuality. It is second only to the sin of kufr, and may be greater than the sin of murder, as we shall see below in sha Allaah.
They said: Allaah did not test anyone with this major sin before the people of Loot, and He punished them with a punishment that he did not send upon any other nation. He sent upon them various kinds of punishment: they were destroyed, their houses were turned upside down, the earth swallowed them up, they were pelted with stones from the sky, their eyes were blinded, they were tormented and their torment was made ongoing. So they were punished severely in a way that no other nation was punished, and that was because of the evilness of this crime which almost causes the earth to shake when it is done on it; and the angels flee to the ends of the heavens and the earth when they witness it, fearing that the punishment may come upon its people and strike them too; and the earth cries out to its Lord, and the mountains almost collapse.
Killing the one to whom it is done would be better for him than having intercourse with him, for if a man has intercourse with him he corrupts him in such a way that life is no longer worth living, unlike killing him in a real sense, in which case he would be a martyr who had been wronged, which may be of benefit to him in the Hereafter.
And he said:
The companions of the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) agreed unanimously that he should be put to death, and none of them disagreed about that. Rather they differed with regard to the manner in which he should be put to death. Some of the people thought that the difference of opinion had to do with whether [the homosexual] should be executed, and they narrated it as being a point of dispute among the Sahaabah, whereas in fact it was a matter on which there was consensus.
Whoever ponders the verse in which Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):
“And come not near to unlawful sex. Verily, it is a Faahishah (i.e. anything that transgresses its limits: a great sin, and an evil way that leads one to hell unless Allaah Forgives him)”
[al-Isra’ 17:32]
And the verse in which He says concerning homosexuality (interpretation of the meaning):
“And (remember) Loot (Lot), when he said to his people: “Do you commit the worst sin such as none preceding you has committed in the ‘Aalameen (mankind and jinn)?”
[al-A’raaf 7:80]
will see a difference between the two. For Allaah mentioned zina without the definite article, indicating it is a kind of evil action, but He mentioned homosexuality (liwaat) with the definite article al-, which means that it encompasses all aspects of faahishah or evil.
Then Allaah confirms that and states that no one in the ‘aalameen (mankind and jinn) ever did this before them, as He says, “such as none preceding you has committed in the ‘Aalameen (mankind and jinn)”. Then He emphasizes that even further by mentioning it a blunt manner that demonstrates the abhorrent nature of this action, which is a man having intercourse with a man as a man has intercourse with a woman, and He says (interpretation of the meaning):
“Verily, you practise your lusts on men instead of women”
[al-A’raaf 7:81]
Then Allaah confirms how abhorrent that is by stating that the homosexuals distort the nature with which Allaah has created men, which is to desire women rather than men. They have twisted the natural order and they approach men with desire rather than women. Hence Allaah turned their houses upside down and their hearts likewise, and they were turned upside down, as a punishment.
Then Allaah reiterated the abhorrence of their actions by judging them to have transgressed all bounds as He says (interpretation of the meaning):
“Nay, but you are a people transgressing beyond bounds (by committing great sins)”
[al-A’raaf 7:81]
Think about this: was this, or anything similar, said concerning adultery? And Allaah reiterated the abhorrent nature of their action when He said (interpretation of the meaning):
“and We saved him from the town (folk) who practised Al‑Khabaa’ith (evil, wicked and filthy deeds)”
[al-Anbiya’ 21:74]
Then Allaah the All-Knowing condemned them further by describing them as being extremely evil, as He said (interpretation of the meaning):
“Verily, they were a people given to evil, and were Faasiqoon (rebellious, disobedient to Allaah)”
[al-Anbiya’ 21:74]
And He described them as mufsidoon (evildoers etc), as He said (interpretation of the meaning):
“My Lord! Give me victory over the people who are Mufsidoon (those who commit great crimes and sins, oppressors, tyrants, mischief‑makers, corrupters).”
[al-‘Ankaboot 29:30]
And He called them zaalimoon (wrongdoers), in the words that the angels said to Ibraaheem (peace be upon him) (interpretation of the meaning):
“Verily, we are going to destroy the people of this [Loot (Lot’s)] town (i.e. the town of Sodom in Palestine); truly, its people have been Zaalimoon [wrongdoers, polytheists disobedient to Allaah, and belied their Messenger Loot (Lot)]”
[al-‘Ankaboot 29:31]
Think about those who have been punished in these ways, and whom Allaah has condemned in such terms.
And he said:
Pleasure ceased and was followed with loss; desires ended and led to misery; they enjoyed themselves for a little while, but will be punished for a long time. They grazed on filth, and they suffer a painful torment. They were intoxicated with those desires, but they have awoken in the abode of the tormented. They feel the greatest regret, by Allaah, at the time when regret is to no avail. They weep for what they did before, with tears of blood. If only you could see the highest and lowest of this group, with fire coming out from their faces and bodies when they are in the depths of Hell, drinking cups of boiling water instead of delightful drinks, being told as they are being dragged on their faces, “Taste of that which you used to earn.”
“Taste you therein its heat and whether you are patient of it or impatient of it, it is all the same. You are only being requited for what you used to do”
[al-Toor 52:16 – interpretation of the meaning]
Adapted from al-Jawaab al-Kaafi, pp. 240-245.
2 – The damaging effects it has on health:
Dr Mahmoud al-Hijaazi said in his book al-Amraad al-Jinsiyyah wa’l-Tanaasuliyyah (Sexual and genital diseases), when discussing some of the dangers to health caused by committing sodomy:
The diseases which are transmitted by way of sexual perversion (homosexuality) are:
1. AIDS, which causes loss of acquired immunity and usually leads to death.
2. Viral inflammation of the liver
3. Syphilis
4. Gonorrhea
5. Herpes
6. Bacterial inflammation of the anus
7. Typhoid
8. Amoebiasis
9. Intestinal worms
10. Anal warts
11. Scabies
12. Pubic lice (“crabs”)
13. Cytomegalovirus that may lead to anal cancer
14. Genital-lymphatic pustules
3 – The greatness of Allaah’s mercy to those who repent
From the above it is clear that this immoral action is seriously wrong and abhorrent, and leads to harmful consequences. Nevertheless the door is open for sinners to repent, and Allaah rejoices at their repentance.
Think about what Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):
“And those who invoke not any other ilaah (god) along with Allaah, nor kill such person as Allaah has forbidden, except for just cause, nor commit illegal sexual intercourse and whoever does this shall receive the punishment.
The torment will be doubled to him on the Day of Resurrection, and he will abide therein in disgrace;
Except those who repent and believe (in Islamic Monotheism), and do righteous deeds; for those, Allaah will change their sins into good deeds, and Allaah is Oft‑Forgiving, Most Merciful”
[al-Furqaan 25:68-70]
By thinking about the words, “Allaah will change their sins into good deeds”, you will see how great is the bounty of Allaah the Almighty.
The scholars said that there are two meanings of the word “change”:
(i) Bad attributes will be turned into good attributes, such as their shirk being turned into faith, their adultery into chastity, their lying into honesty, their treachery into trustworthiness, and so on.
(ii) The bad deeds that they have done will be turned into good deeds on the Day of Resurrection.
So what you must do is repent to Allaah and know that your coming back to Him is better for you and your family and your brothers and the entire society.
Remember that life is short, and that the Hereafter is better and more lasting. Do not forget that Allaah destroyed the people of Loot in a way that He did not destroy any other nation.
4 – Ways of dealing with this problem
(i) Keeping away from the things that make it easy for you to fall into this sin and remind you of it, such as:
- Letting your gaze wander and looking at women or movies
- Being alone with any man or woman
(ii) Always keeping yourself busy with things that will benefit you in your religious or worldly affairs, as Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):
“So when you have finished (your occupation), devote yourself for Allaah’s worship”
[al-Sharh 94:7]
So when you have finished with some worldly task, then strive to do something that will benefit you in the Hereafter, such as remembering Allaah (dhikr), reading Qur’aan, seeking knowledge, listening to useful tapes, etc.
When you finish one act of worship then start another, and if you finish one worldly task then start another… and so on, because if you do not keep your nafs (self) busy with good things, it will keep you busy with bad things. So do not give your nafs any opportunity or spare time to think about this evil action.
(iii) Compare the pleasure you feel when committing this sin with the regret, anxiety and confusion that follow it and stay with you for a long time, and then the torment that awaits the one who does that in the Hereafter. Do you think that any wise man would give precedence to this pleasure which vanishes after an hour over the regret and torment that follow? You can become more convinced of this if you read the book by Ibn al-Qayyim, al-Jawaab al-Kaafi li man sa’ala ‘an al-Dawa’ al-Shaafi. He wrote it for people in a situation like yours. May Allaah make things easy for us and for you.
(iv) The wise man does not give up a thing that he loves except for something that he loves more, or for fear of something he dislikes. This evil action will cause you to lose the blessings of this world and the Hereafter, to lose Allaah’s love for you, and will incur the anger, wrath and punishment of Allaah.
Compare the good you will lose and the evil that will come to you because of this evil action. The wise man will see which should take precedence.
(v) More important than all of the above is making du’aa’ and seeking the help of Allaah to ward off this evil from you. Make the most of the times and situations in which prayers are answered, such as sujood (prostration), before the tasleem at the end of prayer, the last third of the night, when it is raining, when travelling, when fasting, and when breaking the fast.
We ask Allaah to guide you and to accept your repentance, and to help you to avoid bad deeds and bad attitudes.
And Allaah knows best.
Learning quran and understand the teaching of quran
Learn Quran it brings happiness in this world and the Here after. Reading quran online inspires a man to explore the Arabic quran teachings in a new manner and see the world in a different way the way of truth and guidance. Learn holy Quran it brings happiness in this world and the world after death. The Prophet (Peace be upon him) said: If you desire the life of the fortunate, the death of a martyr, the salvation on the Day of Regret and the shade on the Day of Extreme Heat, then you should study the Quranic education because it is the word of the Merciful, a sanctuary from Shaytaan and a causes the tilting of the Balance. It is the deputy of every Muslim to spread the word of justice let teach kids quran from the beginning the quran quida and ask then for listening to quran online from different reciter’s and learn quran tafsir and the quranic tafseer with translation and let the do quran memorization and learn tajweed quran rules from quran tutor and guide them to spread the word of peace
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