Question:
Q1-A PERSON ASKED ME IF THERE ARE ANY AHAADITH REGARDING THOSE PEOPLE WHO HAVE POT BELLIES (FAT), COULD YOU PLEASE PROVIDE AHAADITH WITH EXPLANATION REGARDING THIS?
Q2-WHAT SHOULD A PERSON DO IF HE GETS WASWASA IN SALAAT AND HOW COULD A PERSON AVOID WASWASA IN SALAAT?
Answer:
1. We have not yet come across any Ahaadith pertaining to pot bellies, however sometimes due to certain illnesses the stomach enlarges and sometimes due to excessive eating. The jurists explain that if a person eats a lot and uses his energy for the cause of Allah, i.e. Jihad, Tabligh, etc, it will not be regarded as going against the Sunnah of Nabi (S.A.W.). One should note that Nabi (S.A.W.)’s having his stomach in line with his chest was one of his specialities and not everyone can live up to that. Abu Hurairah (R.A.) narrates that Nabi (S.A.W.) said that: “A strong Mu’min is better and dearer to Allah than a weak one.” (Fataawaa Aalamgeeriyyah, Vol. 5, Page 386, Mishkaat, Page 452)
2. It has been narrated by Abu Hurairah (R.A.) that Nabi (S.A.W.) said: “Allah Ta’ala has forgiven my Ummah regarding those Waswasas (whispering of the Shaitaan) that creep into their hearts so long as they do not act upon them or bring them onto their tongues.” From this Hadith and many other Ahaadith on Waswasa we understand that Shaitaan will do his utmost to create Waswasas in the hearts of the Believers, especially when they are engaged in a great Ibaadah like Salaah. The Ulama explain that Shaitaan’s object in creating Waswasa in ones Salaah is to drive him away from Salaah by way of creating worldly thoughts and confusing him by creating doubts in his Salaah. The Ulama explain that the solution to this is not to break ones Salaah, rather one should make a firm intention and say to himself that: “in spite of all my weaknesses I will continue with my Salaah and I will not let Shaitaan succeed in his motive.” Once Shaitaan realises that this person is firm and confident upon completing his Salaah, he will lose hope. On the other hand if the Musalli gives in to Shaitaan and refrains from Salaah, then he will allow Shaitaan to overpower him and gain his objective. (Mishkaat, Page 18, Hadith 56, Mazaahir-e-Haqq, Vol. 1, Page 155)
And Allah Ta’ala knows best
Ilyaas bin Hashim Limbada
Attested to as correct by:
Mufti Muhammad Ashraf
Darul Iftaa
Jameah Mahmoodiyah
Springs
07 April 2004
16 Safar 1425