i am 17 yrs old and take active part in tabligh mashallah. my uncle comes up with these creepy things that i am unsure about and i tend to get in 2 minds as to what is correct. some of his questions are: tablighi people say that once a person reads the kalima , however much he sins, he will one day go to jannah . whereas the quran says that a person who kills another muslim will go in jahannam where he will live forever . can u pls explain this.the ulema say that on tauba , all your sins get wiped off. whereas the quran says that the killer will live in hell forever . similarly with hajj, can u do all the sins in the world , take people’s money and then go for hajj and get your sins wiped off.if keeping a beard is so important then why didnt allah mention in te quran only like he has clearly laid down the ahkamat for other things like prayer/same question with regards to music , if it was indeed a grave sin then allah would have mentioned it in the quran. he even gave the songs to hazrat daud . allah wont give any haraam thing to his prophet.
In the name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful
Assalaamu `alaykum waRahmatullahi Wabarakatuh
Masha Allah. We are pleased to hear that you are active in this great work of Tabligh. May Allah keep you on the guided path Insha Allah.
In the course of doing good deeds and seeking the pleasure of Almighty Allah, there are always ‘obstacles’ which divert one from attaining this marvellous achievement. Sometimes these obstacles are inner factors; such as the whispering of Shaytaan, and sometimes outer factors; such as the misguidance of man. Therefore, along with going in the path of Allah, it is imperative to attain ‘Ilm (knowledge), to assist this great Deen and to propagate it in its pristine form.
Regarding the virtue of seeking knowledge, it is mentioned in a Hadith:
قال فإنى سمعت رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم يقول من سلك طريقا يطلب فيه علما سلك الله به طريقا من طرق الجنة وإن الملائكة لتضع أجنحتها رضا لطالب العلم وإن العالم ليستغفر له من فى السموات ومن فى الأرض والحيتان فى جوف الماء وإن فضل العالم على العابد كفضل القمر ليلة البدر على سائر الكواكب وإن العلماء ورثة الأنبياء وإن الأنبياء لم يورثوا دينارا ولا درهما إنما ورثوا العلم فمن أخذه أخذ بحظ وافر
Abu dardaرضى الله عنه says “Indeed I heard Rasulullah صلى الله عليه وسلم saying, “Whoever treads a path seeking knowledge; because of that, Allah makes it a path to Jannah. And the Angels lay down their wings in happiness for the seeker of knowledge. And whoever is in the heavens and the earth and the fish in middle of the ocean, seek forgiveness for the ‘Aalim (one who bears knowledge. The virtue of the ‘Aalim in comparison to an ‘Aabid (a worshipper), is like the virtue of the full moon in comparison to all the stars. And Indeed the ‘Ulama are the heirs of the Prophets, and verily the Prophets have not left gold and silver coins (wealth) to be inherited; Indeed they had left ‘Ilm; Then whoever takes it (‘Ilm), he has taken a great share.”
(Abu Dawud, Tirmdihi)
Before addressing the issue in reference, one should bear in mind that not every law of Shari’a is explicitly mentioned in the Holy Quran; there are many laws from the Quran that can only be understood through the Ahadith of Rasulullah صلى الله عليه وسلم.
Almighty Allah states in the Holy Quran:
وَمَنْ يَقْتُلْ مُؤْمِنًا مُتَعَمِّدًا فَجَزَاؤُهُ جَهَنَّمُ خَالِدًا فِيهَا
“And whoever kills a believer intentionally-his recompense is hell wherein he will abide eternally.” (Surah Nisa v93)
“Eternally” in the verse is taken to mean “For a very long time”, and not in its literal meaning. This is so as there are other verses and Ahadith clearly presenting this understanding.
In another verse Allah Ta’ala states:
إِنَّ اللَّهَ لَا يَغْفِرُ أَنْ يُشْرَكَ بِهِ وَيَغْفِرُ مَا دُونَ ذَلِكَ لِمَنْ يَشَاءُ
“Indeed, Allah does not forgive association with Him, but He forgives what is less than that for whom He wills.” (Surah Nisa v48)
Allah Ta’ala also states:
قُلْ يَا عِبَادِيَ الَّذِينَ أَسْرَفُوا عَلَى أَنْفُسِهِمْ لَا تَقْنَطُوا مِنْ رَحْمَةِ اللَّهِ إِنَّ اللَّهَ يَغْفِرُ الذُّنُوبَ جَمِيعًا
“Say, O My Servants who have transgressed against themselves (by sinning), do not despair of the mercy of Allah. Indeed, Allah forgives all sins.” (Surah Zumar v53)
Regarding the Tafseer of this Ayat, Ibni Katheer mentions:
وهذا عام في جميع الذنوب، من كفر وشرك، وشك ونفاق، وقتل وفسق، وغير ذلك: كل من تاب من أي ذلك تاب الله عليه.
This “forgiveness” refers to all sins, be it Kufr, Shirk, hypocrisy, killing etc.
With sincere repentance to Almighty Allah, a transgressor will be forgiven with the will of Allah Ta’ala. (Tafseer Ibni Katheer, p477 vol1 Darul Mufeed)
In a Hadith Rasulullah صلى الله عليه وسلم said:
عن أنس عن النبي صلى الله عليه و سلم قال
يخرج من النار من قال لا إله إلا الله وفي قلبه وزن شعيرة من خير ويخرج من النار من قال لا إله إلا الله وفي قلبه وزن برة من خير ويخرج من النار من قال لا إله إلا الله وفي قلبه وزن ذرة من خير
“The one who says La ilaha il Allah and has the size of a barley grain of good in his heart will be taken out of the Fire. The one who says La ilaha il Allah and has the size of a wheat grain of good in his heart will be taken out of the Fire. The one who says La ilaha il Allah and has the size of a mustard seed of good in his heart will be taken out of the Fire.” (Bukhari p19 vol.1 Darul Fikr)
Therefore, it is our belief as Muslims that, besides Shirk, no matter how much a believer sins, Allah can and will forgive him; even if he is flung into Jahannam, Allah in His infinite Grace and Mercy will eventually take him out.
Regarding the aspect of Haj, Rasulullah صلى الله عليه و سلم said:
النبي صلى الله عليه و سلم يقول من حج لله فلم يرفث ولم يفسق رجع كيوم ولدته أمه
“Whoever performs Haj for Allah, not having intimate relations (with his wife during Haj), nor does he sin; he will return like the day his mother gave birth to him (i.e. sinless).” (Bukhari p173 vol1)
The reward for Haj is clearly understood from the above; however, if one usurps the wealth of others then ones Haj will be void of this blessing and reward.
Allah Ta’ala states in the Holy Quran:
وَلَا تَأْكُلُوا أَمْوَالَكُمْ بَيْنَكُمْ بِالْبَاطِلِ
“Do not consume one another’s wealth unjustly.” (Surah Baqarah v188)
( قوله كالحج بمال حرام…( مع أنه يسقط الفرض عنه معها ولا تنافي بين سقوطه ، وعدم قبوله فلا يثاب لعدم القبول ، ولا يعاقب عقاب تارك الحج ... فإن الفعل صحيح لكنه بلا ثواب
(Radul Muhtar p456 vol.2)
It is mentioned in Radul Muhtar that the Haj of one who uses Haraam wealth will be void of reward; even thou the Fardh will be complete.
On the other hand, if one had taken wealth of someone in the past and now makes Haj (with one’s own wealth), the Haj will be valid with all the rewards and blessings; however, this person will still be held accountable for the wealth he had taken until he repays the price to his creditor, or his creditor absolves him of his debt.
The beard is a Sunnah that had been practiced by Rasulullah صلى الله عليه و سلم and the prophetsعليهم الصلاة و سلام
In the Quran, Nabi Haroon عليه الصلاة و السلامtells Nabi Musa عليه الصلاة و السلام:
لَا تَأْخُذْ بِلِحْيَتِي
“Do not clutch my beard.” (Surah Taha v94)
To truly understand the importance of the beard, one should ponder deeply over the Ayaat of the Holy Quran:
قُلْ أَطِيعُوا اللَّهَ وَأَطِيعُوا الرَّسُولَ
“Say! Obey Allah and obey the messenger.” (Surah Nur v54)
وَمَا آَتَاكُمُ الرَّسُولُ فَخُذُوهُ وَمَا نَهَاكُمْ عَنْهُ فَانْتَهُوا
“That which the messenger has brought, then take it. And what he has prohibited, then abstain (from it).” (Surah Hashr v7)
Once the understanding of these Ayaat has set in, then one would realize that only a person truly deficient in Iman asks questions like “If the beard is so important, then why didn’t Allah mention it in the Holy Quran.”
The mere fact that the Messenger of Allah صلى الله عليه و سلم had a beard, and that he told his Ummah to keep a beard is sufficient for a true believer.
Rasulullah صلى الله عليه و سلم said:
عن النبي صلى الله عليه و سلم قال خالفوا المشركين وفروا اللحى وأحفوا الشوارب
“Oppose those who ascribe partners to Allah; Let grow the beard and clip the moustache.”(Bukhari p73 vol.7)
قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه و سلم انهكوا الشوارب وأعفوا اللحى
“Remove the moustache and grow the beard.” (Bukhari p73 vol.7)
Music is prohibited in Islam. Allah mentions in the Holy Quran:
وَمِنَ النَّاسِ مَنْ يَشْتَرِي لَهْوَ الْحَدِيثِ لِيُضِلَّ عَنْ سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ
“And of the people is he who buys the amusement of speech to mislead (others) from the way of Allah.” (Surah Luqmaan v6)
The following great Commentators state that ‘lahw al hadith’ in the above verse refers to music….
a) Abdullah ibn Mas‘ûd radiyallâhu ‘anhu
b) Jâbir ibn ‘Abdillah radiyallâhu ‘anhu
c) Abdullâh ibn ‘Abbâs radiyallâhu ‘anhu
d) Hasan al-Basrî rahimahu Allah
e) Ikrimah rahimahu Allah
f) Ebrahim an Nakhi rahimahu Allah
g) Maymoon bin Mahran rahimahu Allah
h) Qatada rahimahu Allah
i) Sa‘îd ibn Jubayr rahimahu Allah
j) Mujâhid rahimahu Allah
k) Amr ibn Shu`ayb rahimahu Allah
l) Ali ibn Badhîmah rahimahu Allah
m) Habeeb rahimahu Allah
n) Makhûl. rahimahu Allah
o) Abd al Kareem rahimahu Allah
p) Ibn Zakhr rahimahu Allah
q) Ataa al Khuraasaani rahimahu Allah
The two greatest commentators of this Ummah, Abdullah bin Masood and Abdullah bin Abbaas (radiyallâhu ‘anhuma), used to take an oath and say that this verse refers to music.
(Musannaf Ibn Abi Shaybah 5/132, Al Mustadrak lil Hakim 2/211, Sunan al kubra lil Bayhaqi 10/223, Ad Durr al manthoor 8/76, Al Hawi al Kabeer 17/388, An Nukat wal uyoon 3/332, Tafseer Ibn Katheer 6/330, Tafseer al Qurtubi 14/52, Tafseer al Baghwi 6/283, Tafseer al lubaab libni Adil 13/10, Tafseer al Khaazin 5/145, Tafseer at Tabari 20/127, Zad al maser 5/105, Ma’arif al Quraan 7/28, Dhamm al malahi 5-6, Ahsan al fatawa 8/380)
In Surah Bani Israeel, Allah Ta’ala mentioned to the devil
(وَاسْتَفْزِزْ مَنِ اسْتَطَعْتَ مِنْهُمْ بِصَوْتِكَ ….الخ )
(And gradually befool those who you can from them with your voice (songs, music etc) ( Surah Bani Israeel 64)
The following illustrious commentators opined that ‘…your voice’ in the above mentioned verse refers to music…
a) Mujahid rahimahu Allah
b) Dhahaak rahimahu Allah
c) An Nasafi rahimahu Allah
d) At Tabri rahimahu Allah
e) As Suyuti rahimahu Allah
(Tafseer al Baghawi 5/105, Al muharrar al wajeez 4/258, Tafseer an Nasafi 2/209, Ad Durr al manthoor 6/297, Tafseer Al Bahr al muheet 7/372, Tafseer al lubaab 10/340, Tafseer at Tabari 8/108, 17/490, Ma’ani al Quraan lin Nuhaas 4/172, Adhwa al bayaan 3/230, Tafseer al Qurtubi 10/288,14/52, Ruh al ma’ani 11/11, Tafseer al Jalaalain 1/372, Al Ikleel 144, Ahsan al fatawa 8/381)
Rasulullah صلى الله عليه وسلم said:
أبو مالك الأشعرى والله ما كذبنى سمع النبى صلى الله عليه وسلم يقول ليكونن من أمتى أقوام يستحلون الحر والحرير والخمر والمعازف ،الحديث
(Indeed, there will be in my Ummah such people who will regard as permissible for themselves fornication, silk, wine and musical instruments (Narrated by Imam Bukhari in his Saheeh, Abu Dawud)
Rasulullah صلى الله عليه وسلم said:
أبى مالك الأشعرى قال قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم ليشربن ناس من أمتى الخمر يسمونها بغير اسمها يعزف على رءوسهم بالمعازف والمغنيات يخسف الله بهم الأرض ويجعل منهم القردة والخنازير
Indeed, people will change the name of wine to consume it and play with musical instruments, Allah will cause the earth to swallow them and change them into monkeys and swines (Narrated by Ibn Majah in his sunan, Ibn Hibbaan in his saheeh, Al Bukhari in Jami al Kabeer)
ونظيره كراهة بيع المعازف ؛ لأن المعصية تقام بها عينها ، (رد المحتار)
“And the example of this is the prohibition of selling musical instruments, because evil is carried out with it directly.” (Radd al muhtaar)
Nabi Dawud was blessed by Allah Ta’ala with a beautiful voice. It is mentioned in the Holy Quran:
وَلَقَدْ آَتَيْنَا دَاوُودَ مِنَّا فَضْلًا يَا جِبَالُ أَوِّبِي مَعَهُ وَالطَّيْرَ
And we certainly gave Dawud from Us bounty. (We said) “O mountains, repeat (Our) praises with him, and the birds (as well).” (Surah Saba’ v10)
“Bounty” in the verse refers to the prophecy Allah Ta’ala has given him along with a firmly established kingdom, numerous soldiers and a magnificent voice, that when he glorified Allah, the mountains and the birds used to join him in this Tasbeeh.(Tafseer Ibni Katheer p491 Darul Mufid)
It is not mentioned that Nabi Dawudعليه الصلاة و السلام had songs. Even if he had songs, then this would have been allowed in the Shari’a given to him by Allah Ta’ala and permissible for the people of his Ummah, and not the people of our Ummah.
And Allah knows best
Wassalamu Alaikum
Ml. Zakariyya bin Ahmed,
Student Darul Iftaa
Checked and Approved by:
Mufti Ebrahim Desai
Darul Iftaa, Madrassah In’aamiyyah