Question:
Answer:
1) Hazrat Loot (A.S.), after consulting with Hazrat Ebrahim (A.S.) left Misr and traversed towards the eastern part of Urdun (Jordan), a place called Sadoom. The purpose of his migration was to propagate the teachings of Ebrahim (A.S.) amongst the inhabitants of Sadoom, a village situated in the area where the Dead Sea is presently located. The people of surrounding areas firmly believe that the region in which the Dead Sea is found was once occupied by the people of Sadoom. This nation directly rejected the message which Hazrat Loot (A.S.) presented to them, due to which they were punished most severely, as described by Allah, “So at day break a mighty cry seized them.
Then We turned the localities upside down and We showered upon them rocks of baked clay.
In this (incident) there are indeed multiple signs for the people who discern.” (Surah Hijr, Verse 73)
The earth on which they lived was lifted into the sky and then caused to come crashing down approximately 400 meters below the earth. As a result, this area was submerged, and is now known as the Dead Sea.
(Qasas ul Qur’an, Vol. 1, Page 257, Mukhtasar Tafseer Ibne Katheer, Vol. 2, Page 312)
2) It has been reported by Abdullah ibni Umar (R.A.), that when the Nabi of Allah (S.A.W.) descended at the place of Hijr (the region where the nations of Aad and Thamud once resided) during the battle of Tabuk, he (S.A.W.) commanded the Sahabah not to drink from the accursed place. The Sahabah informed Nabi (S.A.W.) that they had already utilized the water for making dough and drinking. Nabi (S.A.W.) instructed them to discard the dough and water.
While commenting on this Hadith, Imam Hajar Al-Asqalani (R.H.) outlines that the Hadith clearly teaches us that, it is Makrooh to use the water found in the area of Hijr. He further states, that the same ruling will apply to other accursed places. A similar explanation is found in the Kitaab Takmilah Fathil Mulhim and Umdatul Qari.
In light of the explanation provided by our well-versed Ulamaa, we can conclude that, manufacturing items from the clay of the Dead Sea and trading with such products is Makrooh.
(Fathul Baari, Vol. 6, Page 379-381, Vol. 1 530-531, Takmilah Fathil Mulhim, Vol. 6, Page 460-462)
And Allah Ta’ala knows best
Ebrahim bin Zainul Abedeen Backus
Attested to as correct by:
Mufti Muhammad Ashraf
Darul Iftaa
Jameah Mahmoodiyah
Springs
18 June 2005
11 Jumaadul Oola 1426