| 23 February 2010

Building and Maintaining the Houses of Allaah

By Shaykh Abdullaah Al-Jarboo حفظه الله

Delivered on Saturday 29th November 2008

 

INTRODUCTION

Dear brothers and sisters, we at al-Quraan was-Sunnah Society of New York, Masjid Ahlul-Quraan was-Sunnah, albaseerah.org welcome you all to our live lectures with the Scholars and Mashaa’ikh of Ahlus-Sunnah Wal-Jamaa`ah. It pleases us very much to resume our intensive courses and special sessions by the Scholars which will take place on a regular basis. Please visit our website www.albaseerah.org for details and the schedule.

Dear brothers and sisters, those of us who don’t own a home are always exploring the opportunities to buy our own home; and those who are blessed with their own home spend a lot of money making sure that their homes are kept safe, clean, tidy and beautiful. But when it comes to the house of Allaah, a place where the believers come to worship the Creator of the heavens and the earth, it is expected that the believers would race against each other to build the houses of Allaah. We see that every single believer would do whatever it takes to construct and furnish the houses of Allaah سبحانه وتعالى.

 Dear brothers and sisters, we at Masjid Ahlul-Quraan was-Sunnah believe it is our duty to serve our community in the best manner possible. We have a strong desire to educate, cultivate and unite our community upon the Qur’aan and Sunnah. We want to take care of your needs and live up to your expectations. To accomplish this goal, it pleases me very much to inform you that inshaa’Allaah we will be moving to a better and bigger location. Alhamdulillaah, we are negotiating the contract for a new building and major renovation is going to take place soon inshaa’Allaah. But we are in need of Allaah’s help and tawfeeq, so please continue to make du`aa (supplication).

 Dear brothers and sisters, in addition to your du`aa we are also in need of your financial help. We have strong faith in you and we know that as always, you are going to do your best to play a major role in building this masjid, a House of Allaah عز وجل.

 Alhamdulillaah, Allaah has opened the doors of sadaqatun-jaariyah (on-going charity) for you so that you list yourself among those who will inherit a nice home in Jannah inshaa’Allaah, as the Rasoolullaah صلى الله عليه وسلم said: “Whoever builds a masjid for Allaah ta`aalaa, seeking the Face of Allaah, Allaah will build for him a house in Jannah.”[1] So here is an opportunity for you so that Allaah can build a home for you in Jannah.

 

Alhamdulillaah, Allaah عز وجل blessed us with a generous and concerned community who never hesitates to spend in the cause of Allaah. We are certain that as usual, they will come forward to help construct our new property. As Allaah says:

إِنَّمَا يَعْمُرُ مَسَاجِدَ اللّهِ مَنْ آمَنَ بِاللّهِ وَالْيَوْمِ الآخِرِ وَأَقَامَ الصَّلاَةَ وَآتَى الزَّكَاةَ وَلَمْ يَخْشَ إِلاَّ اللّهَ فَعَسَى أُوْلَـئِكَ أَن يَكُونُواْ مِنَ الْمُهْتَدِينَ

{The mosques of Allaah shall be maintained only by those who believe in Allaah and the Last Day; perform As-Salaat (the prayers), and give Zakaat (obligatory charity) and fear none but Allaah. It is they who are on true guidance.}  [At-Tawbah 9:18]

Dear brothers and sisters, I do not wish to take up too much of your time because I am very sure that you all are very eager to listen to the words of our noble guest for today’s tele-lecture. Alhamdulillaah, we are blessed to be in the company of one of our beloved Shaykhs from al-Madeenah an-Nabawiyyah - the city of the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم.

 Dear brothers, our guest today is our beloved Shaykh Abdullaah ibn `Abdur-Rahmaan Al-Jarboo حفظه الله. He is a professor at the Islamic University in Madeenah and the ex-Deen of the College of `Aqeedah. He is well known to you as he has done many lectures before and has participated in person in our yearly seminars, may Allaah reward him tremendously. He is also very active in da`wah and has many da`wah projects. May Allaah reward and bless him.

 

INTRODUCTION BY SHAYKH ABDULLAAH AL-JARBOO

Translator: Firstly, the Shaykh حفظه الله ordered me to introduce myself to you; I am Muhammad Hameed, and inshaa’Allaah I will be translating for the Shaykh tonight here in al-Madeenah.

The Shaykh حفظه الله began by sending you all the salutations and by declaring that all praises belong and are due to Allaah, the Lord of the worlds, the Most Merciful, the Bestower of Mercy, the only Owner of the Day of Judgment. I bear witness that there is no deity worthy of worship except Allaah alone without any partner, and I bear witness that Muhammad is the slave and Messenger of Allaah. May Allaah send prayers, salutations and peace upon him, all of his family, companions and followers until the Day of Judgment.

To proceed: It pleases me greatly to be in this meeting with my brothers for Allaah’s Sake in America, despite the far distance between us all. We thank Allaah سبحانه وتعالى and praise Him, the One Who has facilitated for us the means of this meeting and made it easy for us to come together and speak with each other despite the distance between our homes.

The topic of tonight’s lecture is very important. It has a great status, just as the virtues Shaykh Zahid mentioned; as it pertains to the importance of the masaajid (mosques), building them and the virtue in doing so. He mentioned some verses from the Qur’aan and some ahaadeeth of the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم proving the importance of building the masaajid and the role of the masaajid in spreading Islaam and in mentioning and remembering Allaah. Also, that Allaah سبحانه وتعالى will protect and preserve the Muslims if they take care of the masaajid by physically building them and taking care of them by having lessons and mentioning Allaah’s Name سبحانه وتعالى, and so on and so forth.

So inshaa’Allaah in my speech, I would like to mention some further points and some further evidences proving the importance of this and the details of this subject matter.

 

THE MASAAJID ARE THE HOUSES OF ALLAAH

The masaajid, just as we have heard, are the houses of Allaah سبحانه وتعالى. Allaah has attributed these houses to Himself and they are called the ‘Houses of Allaah’ and the ‘Masaajid of Allaah’. The likes of this attribution which Allaah attributes to His Name سبحانه وتعالى or to Himself, is something that is done out of nobility. Allaah attributes these houses to Himself for the purpose of making them noble and honourable.

Allaah سبحانه وتعالى does not have a house in which He lives. He is perfect and free from the likes of this. Instead He attributed these houses, the houses of Allaah, out of tashreef (making them noble and honorable) as Allaah سبحانه وتعالى mentioned in the Qur’aan:

فِي بُيُوتٍ أَذِنَ اللَّهُ أَن تُرْفَعَ وَيُذْكَرَ فِيهَا اسْمُهُ يُسَبِّحُ لَهُ فِيهَا بِالْغُدُوِّ وَالْآصَالِ

{In houses (mosques) which Allaah has ordered to be raised (to be cleaned, and to be honored), in them His Name is remembered [i.e. Adhaan, Iqaamah, Salaat (prayers), invocations, recitation of the Qur'aan]. Therein glorify Him (Allaah) in the mornings and in the afternoons or the evenings} [An-Noor 24:36]

 Allaah has given permission for the people to raise houses and for the Muslims to take special places to worship Allaah سبحانه وتعالى besides their homes in which they live and rest; even though they worship Allaah in these places. They worship Allaah and remember Allaah in all places, including their homes. However Allaah عز وجل has made special places just for His remembrance. The remembrance of Allaah includes the salaah, making dhikr (saying words of remembrance), reciting the Qur’aan, and the other acts of worship that the people do by which they seek a means of closeness and nearness to Allaah the Sublime and the Exalted.

 

BUILDING THE MASAAJID ARE FROM THE DUTIES OF THE ANGELS, PROPHETS AND MESSENGERS

So therefore, Allaah the Sublime and Exalted has informed us that building of the masaajid is from the duties and tasks of the angels, the prophets and the messengers. They build the masaajid as Allaah has mentioned:

وَإِذْ يَرْفَعُ إِبْرَاهِيمُ الْقَوَاعِدَ مِنَ الْبَيْتِ وَإِسْمَاعِيلُ

{And (remember) when Ibraaheem (Abraham) and (his son) Ismaa`eel (Ishmael) were raising the foundations of the House (the Ka'bah at Makkah)} [Al-Baqarah 2:127]

The Scholars of Tafseer have mentioned that the one to lay down the very first foundation of the Ka`bah was Jibreel عليه السلام. Then came Ibraaheem and Ismaa`eel and they built upon this.

Therefore this proves that building the masaajid is a task that the angels, prophets, messengers and righteous slaves of Allaah do by which they honor themselves.

 

THE YOUTH PLAY AN IMPORTANT ROLE IN BUILDING THE MASAAJID

From the story of Ibraaheem and Ismaa`eel عليهما السلام some of the Scholars have deduced a very simple and good benefit which is that the youth have a very important role in building the masaajid. They derive this from the part of the story where Ismaa`eel عليه السلام was a young man when he helped his father Ibraaheem in building the first House and that was the Ka`bah and al-Masjid al-Haraam.

Similarly, we find that when the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم was a young man around the age of Ismaa`eel عليه السلام, he assisted the Quraysh when they reconstructed the Ka`bah and al-Masjid al-Haraam. He assisted and aided them in doing this and he was at a young age. So this shows us that the youth had a very important role in doing so.

 

THE PROPHETS, MESSENGERS AND RIGHTEOUS WOULD BUILD MASAAJID

Similarly, the prophets, the messengers and the righteous never ceased to build the masaajid and worship Allaah عز وجل in them. The Shaykh mentioned the story of Maryam عليها السلام and how she prayed in a mihraab which is a place in which prayer is offered.

Likewise Allaah mentioned that Daawood and Sulaymaan had mahaareeb – special places in which they worshipped Allaah سبحانه وتعالى; they were for no other purpose except for worship. Similarly they built Baytul-Maqdis in Jerusalem for salaah in it.

Likewise, we find that our Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم placed a great deal of importance upon building and constructing the masaajid and assisting and cooperating in doing so. We find that the very first thing that he did when he came to al-Madeenah was building Masjid Qubaa. Before he built his home and a place to rest he began with building Masjid Qubaa. Masjid Qubaa was very close to Madeenah but now it has become a part of Madeenah. We find that the Sahaabah had a great deal of zeal and they participated in building Masjid Qubaa. Some of them helped out physically by carrying the bricks and stones. Some of them supported it with their wealth and funding the building, and others provided tools and instruments for construction of the masjid. So we find the very first thing that the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم did when he reached Madeenah was to build a house of Allaah سبحانه وتعالى in the very first city established as an Islaamic State for the worship of Allaah سبحانه وتعالى i.e. al-Madeenah.

Similarly when the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم left Qubaa after a number of days, the very first thing that he did when he reached Madeenah was planning the construction of his masjid, al-Masjid an-Nabawi (The Prophet’s Masjid صلى الله عليه وسلم). This was the very first thing that he did, even before he built the room in which he lived.

The place was chosen in which they would build the masjid and then the Sahaabah began building and constructing it. From that day, this place continues to be an abode for the worship of Allaah سبحانه وتعالى for the believers to offer prayer therein and to invoke Allaah سبحانه وتعالى and to perform all sorts of righteous deeds and actions which brings them closer and nearer to Allaah سبحانه وتعالى.

So to reiterate, this task of building the masaajid is from the important duties of the chosen slaves of Allaah سبحانه وتعالى - those preferred slaves of Allaah عز وجل from the angels, prophets, messengers and the righteous. They hold this as a noble task and an honourable duty and they see this as a great deal and a tremendous affair by which they seek closeness to Allaah سبحانه وتعالى. Similarly they rush forth and they hasten and they compete with each other in doing good deeds by building the masaajid.

 

MAINTAINING AND TAKING CARE OF THE MASAAJID

 Shaykh Zahid mentioned the verse:

إِنَّمَا يَعْمُرُ مَسَاجِدَ اللَّهِ مَنْ آَمَنَ بِاللَّهِ وَالْيَوْمِ الْآَخِرِ

{The mosques of Allaah shall be maintained only by those who believe in Allaah and the Last Day...}  [At-Tawbah 9:018]

He also mentioned that construction of the masaajid is from the most important attributes of the Muslims and from the most significant and distinctive characteristics of the believers. This is a sign proving the truth of their eemaan and the strength of their eemaan (i.e. that they take care and they look after the houses of Allaah سبحانه وتعالى).

Taking care of the masaajid is divided into two categories:

1. Physical construction of the masjid and the physical maintenance and custodial affairs of the masjid
2. Worshipping Allaah سبحانه وتعالى therein and mentioning His Name سبحانه وتعالى and glorifying His praises therein.

Both of these categories are from the attributes and actions of those pious slaves of Allaah سبحانه وتعالى who seek Allaah’s Pleasure, those who have aspiration and who look forward to their reward and to what Allaah سبحانه وتعالى has prepared for them in the Hereafter.

These masaajid which are the houses of Allaah سبحانه وتعالى, Allaah has ordained upon the believers constructing them, preserving and looking after them, and worshipping Allaah in them. This is a very important affair. Not only has Allaah سبحانه وتعالى commanded us to build the masaajid and to construct them, and to worship Him and mention His Name therein, but He has ordered us and ordained that we preserve these masaajid and look after them.

For this reason, from the legislated goals of jihaad and fighting is that by them, Allaah سبحانه وتعالى defends eemaan (al-Islaam) by repelling the people of corruption (the people of fasaad) who don’t want to worship Allaah عز وجل but who wish to ruin and spoil that which is good. So Allaah سبحانه وتعالى has made it obligatory upon the people of belief (the people of Eemaan) to do this. Hence, we find that historically some of the people of corruption destroyed many masaajid of the Muslims and tore down these places built for worship of Allaah سبحانه وتعالى. For this reason Allaah عز وجل commanded and ordained fighting these people as He mentioned in the verse of the Glorious Qur’aan:

وَلَوْلَا دَفْعُ اللَّهِ النَّاسَ بَعْضَهُمْ بِبَعْضٍ لَهُدِّمَتْ صَوَامِعُ وَبِيَعٌ وَصَلَوَاتٌ وَمَسَاجِدُ يُذْكَرُ فِيهَا اسْمُ اللَّهِ كَثِيرًا

{For had it not been that Allaah checks one set of people by means of another, monasteries, churches, synagogues, and mosques, wherein the Name of Allaah is mentioned much, would surely have been pulled down} [Al-Hajj 22:40]

This verse proves two very important things:

1. Allaah سبحانه وتعالى has made it binding upon the believers to establish and defend His houses.
2. Allaah سبحانه وتعالى has prohibited the believers from boycotting these houses, abandoning them, not mentioning His Name therein, not offering the prayer therein and so on and so forth.

Hence this verse proves to us the importance of the masaajid in the life of the Muslims. It is incumbent upon the Believers to look after the Houses of Allaah سبحانه وتعالى.

From these texts of the Qur’aan and these benefits which I have mentioned and which we have heard from Shaykh Zahid, it becomes clear to us that the masaajid hold a very lofty status. As such, it is imperative that the Muslims cooperate with one other and come together in building the masaajid, the houses of Allaah سبحانه وتعالى.

 

BUILDING A MASJID IN THE LAND OF NON-MUSLIMS

As for today, during these current times, the affairs are very different and things have changed greatly. A person is unable to build a masjid by himself with his own hands. Rather, there are various types of companies – for construction, labour, skilled carpenters, builders and the likes of this. Therefore it is upon the Muslims to cooperate with each other and to spend their wealth building the houses of Allaah.

As for building a masjid in a place where the Muslims are the minority and the disbelievers are the majority, then it is necessary that the masjid be built in a clear open space that everyone can see. It is necessary that the masjid is constructed in a good manner so that the disbelievers can see that by this masjid the Muslims have strength and might and that the Muslims take pride in building the house of Allaah سبحانه وتعالى. Similarly, if the masjid is built in a modern manner perhaps this can be a means of da`wah as when the disbelievers see this masterful building, it may be a means of calling them to Allaah سبحانه وتعالى.

 

THE GREAT REWARD FOR BUILDING A MASJID

In building and constructing the masaajid is a great reward and tremendous recompense from Allaah سبحانه وتعالى along with all types of wonderful benefits and prizes that a Muslim reaps for participates in building the masaajid. From them is that Allaah سبحانه وتعالى will build a house in Paradise for the one who builds a masjid seeking His Face سبحانه وتعالى as we heard in the hadeeth previously mentioned by Shaykh Zahid - “Whoever builds a masjid for Allaah seeking the Face of Allaah, Allaah will build for him a house in Jannah.”[1]

In some versions of this hadeeth the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم mentioned a wording with the meaning: “Whoever builds a masjid for Allaah even if it is very small…”[2] Hence it becomes clear to us that one who hastens upon this, adheres to the religion and is eager upon good, will have a house built for him in Paradise; that is suitable reward for what he has put forth from building a masjid in this life.

Additionally, building the masaajid is different from other types of sadaqah (charity) which people give. Building a masjid is quite different as it is sadaqatan jaariah (a continuous charity) which doesn’t stop. Therefore, the one who gives to the masjid and participates in doing so will receive a reward for all good that takes place in this masjid; he shares in the reward. So if salaah is performed in the masjid he receives reward for the prayer, if the Qur’aan is recited he receives reward for the recitation and if a person comes in the masjid and he invokes Allaah سبحانه وتعالى he receives reward for this du`aa, and so on and so forth. As long as the masjid continues being a source for the remembrance of Allaah and the performance of righteous actions then each day he will receive the reward for these righteous deeds performed therein; this is indeed a tremendous reward and recompense from Allaah سبحانه وتعالى. Hence it is necessary that the Muslims rush forth and hasten to obtain the likes of this tremendous reward.

 

THE MASAAJID ARE A VISUAL REPRESENTATION OF THE MUSLIMS

The masjid is considered a visual representation of the group of Muslims in the lands of the kuffaar (disbelievers). If there is a group of Muslims in a particular country then what everyone sees as representative of the Muslims is the masjid.  This is a main indication of the group of Muslims.

Similarly, you find the people of different religions caring for their places of worship – their temples, their different churches etc. Similarly, the Muslims need to look after the masaajid, the houses of Allaah سبحانه وتعالى.

Here in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and other Muslim countries the masaajid are established on the schema and built before the houses. This is an indication that the Muslims are competing in good and rushing forth to build the masaajid as they are aware of the tremendous reward from Allaah سبحانه وتعالى in so doing.

 

CONCLUSION

Then our Shaykh حفظه الله took the opportunity to make a great deal of du`aa… I thank those who rush forth and make effort in purchasing the land for the masaajid and I ask Allaah سبحانه وتعالى to reward them all with good and to bless their time and their wealth and to allow their efforts to be of benefit to the people – the Muslims and the non-Muslims in that land.

I encourage all the brothers and sisters who are listening, to participate in seeking some of this reward and to help with the construction of this masjid. You should all help in constructing this masjid, whether with your wealth, or however you can, so that it is up and running as quickly as possible. This is so that it may be an Islaamic markaz (a centre for Islaam) from which light emanates, a centre for guidance for the people and for the worship of Allaah سبحانه وتعالى. This would be a great benefit for the Muslims and others besides the Muslims as perhaps it may be a reason for the guidance of many of the people. I hope that Allaah عز وجل will write for them the reward, and that He will recompense them accordingly for this action by which all types of good may take place.

He went on to ask Allaah سبحانه وتعالى to make us firm upon the Straight Path and to rectify and reform our religion and our worldly life and he declared that all praises belong and are due to Allaah سبحانه وتعالى and sent praise and salutations upon Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم, his family and companions.

Alhamdullillaahi Rabbil `Aalameen. We thank our Shaykh حفظه الله for being generous with his time and sharing these benefits with us and reminding us of Allaah سبحانه وتعالى. We ask Him سبحانه وتعالى to bless his time, to bless his life and to reward him accordingly and to preserve him and all of the other Scholars; and Allaah سبحانه وتعالى knows best.

 

Questions & Answers

 

1. Question: We believe the masaajid play a big and a very important role in educating about the Deen of Allaah سبحانه وتعالى. One of the most important roles is to bridge the gap between the Scholars and the Ummah so that Allaah will be worshipped upon al-baseerah (clear guidance) but unfortunately many masaajid and Islaamic centres here in America do not care much about taking knowledge from well known Scholars or organizing tele-lectures with the inheritors of the Prophets (al-waarathatul-anbiyaa), even though it is extremely easy and cheap. So can you please shed some light on the importance of benefiting from the Scholars and organizing lectures of the `Ulamaa in the masaajid.

Answer: As for benefiting from the masaajid (lessons, classes and lectures of the scholars), then without any doubt this is from the responsibilities of the Callers to Allaah and the Imaams of the masaajid. One must ensure that they are properly prepared and qualified for this. They must be encouraged to take advantage of these masaajid and centers making them a place or base for disseminating knowledge and good amongst the people. They should be headquarters for teaching the people and calling them to Allaah سبحانه وتعالى.

It is better that the Islaamic Centres use modern technology the likes of which you are using now, for the benefit of the religion of Allaah سبحانه وتعالى. This is like the internet and the different modern means of communication; inshaa’Allaah this shall be a means of great good because it reaches many places - different cities and countries such as America, Britain, Canada, Australia and even Saudi Arabia, Africa etc. Therefore, if one masjid carries out this obligation, inshaa’Allaah it would become an example for the other masaajid and centres and perhaps becomes a means for the people to compete with each other upon good.

Additionally, this communal obligation will be dropped from the rest of the people as one group or party from amongst the Muslims performs this communal obligation. So no matter what the circumstances, inshaa’Allaah there will be great benefit for all of the Muslims there. Therefore, it is upon the caller to Allaah in the likes of these countries to be patient with each other, to cooperate and give each other sincere naseehah (advice) and to understand one another. By Allaah’s Permission, with this patience and understanding in giving Da`wah there will be general benefit for all in the life of the Ummah.

 

2. Question: Sometimes when our dear brothers who we love very much, pledge to donate, they forget to fulfil their promise so what is your advice to them?

Answer: Firstly, we thank these people for their good intentions and that which they wished for. Likewise, we encourage them and incite them to hasten forth to perform that which is good, just as it is said in the famous proverb “the best goodness is that which is without delay.” Therefore, when the people pledge to give charity, volunteer, make promises and make pledges, perhaps the person who is in charge of the affairs of the masjid takes these pledges and promises and begins the contract with the construction, the labourers, the carpenters etc. Then later on, if these people renege on their pledges and they fall back on that which they promised to do, perhaps different problems will take place such as the labourers will delay their work or the person may run into financial difficulties with the company and so on and so forth. Hence, we do not want any type of harm or annoyance to come by the muhsineen – those generous people who give their wealth to Allaah سبحانه وتعالى. Therefore, the people must participate and cooperate in giving their sadaqah and promising their sadaqah, but they must fulfil their promises so there will not be any problems, difficulties, or things that would happen later on. Therefore, we advise them to rush forth in fulfilling that which they are generous enough to say and promise.

 

3. Question: Is it permissible to give zakaat for the construction of the masjid if we are in dire need of it?

Answer: Allaah سبحانه وتعالى has mentioned in the Qur’aan and likewise the people of knowledge have clarified that the zakaat should be given to those people who are in great need of it - those who are in the most dire need and the most severe situation such as the fuqaraa’ (the poor people) - those who have a very intensive need for this wealth because of their poverty.

As for giving zakaat for the building of the masjid then this is something which should not be done. However, if those who are in charge of the masjid and running the masjid are in need of it, such as the people of knowledge, the imaams, the callers to Allaah and the mu’adhdhin – then they may be given something from the zakaat. For example, if books were purchased for the poor people if they were good students of knowledge and libraries were purchased for them from which they can benefit and read then this is okay and there is no problem in doing so. But as for the actual construction of the masjid and the building of the masjid then this is something which is preferred to give from the sadaqaat (charity) and not the obligatory zakaat.

So once again, the zakaat should be given to those who have the most dire need, those who are in need of a place to live, medicine or medical treatment, food and drink and those who are in need of marriage, these things are dire necessities for these people.

 

4. Question: What is the definition of the Udhiyyah and what is its ruling?

Answer: The Udhiyyah is sacrificial slaughter from the beasts of cattle, after Saalatul-`Eed, whether it is from sheep, goats, cows, or camels. A Muslim can slaughter a sheep or goat, or seven people can come together to slaughter one cow and similarly, seven people can come together to slaughter one camel.

It is a prerequisite with regards to slaughtering the sheep that it is at least six months old. As for the goat then the goat should be at least one year old; and the cow should be at least 2 years old.

Therefore, the Udhiyyah is a means of worship and is a sacrificial slaughter that a Muslim does seeking closeness to Allaah سبحانه وتعالى and thanking Allaah the Mighty and the Majestic for guiding him to Al-Islaam.

It is permissible that (others) share in the reward of one Udhiyyah like his parents and his household; whoever he wishes may share with him in the reward including his relatives whether they are dead or alive.

As for the ruling of the Udhiyyah, then the strongest opinion is that it is a highly recommended act of Sunnah, and other scholars they say that it is obligatory - especially for those who are rich and those who are well-off. They should not be negligent with regard to this affair - they should not leave it off when they have the physical means of doing it. However, for those who are not able to afford it, it is not obligatory upon them. The strongest opinion is that it is Sunnah mu’akkadah (recommended), and the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم slaughtered two horned rams on the day of `Eed.

 

5. Question: What should be done in the first ten days of Dhul-Hijjah? Regarding the person who wishes to sacrifice an animal, what does he need to keep himself away from and does this prohibition apply to everyone in the family - men, women and kids?

Answer: As for what pertains to the things that a Muslim should avoid and stay away from if he intends to slaughter is firstly, that he should not take anything from his hair - he should not trim or cut his hair whatsoever, nor his skin, fingernails and toenails. This ruling is specific to the one who is actually going to purchase the animal for the sacrificial slaughter - the one who is going to buy the animal.

For example, if it is the husband who is going to buy the animal, then he is the only one who is required to abstain from cutting his hair, trimming his fingernails, and so on and so forth. As for the rest of the family then no – they are not required with this ruling. Similarly, if the mother is the one going to buy the animal, then she is going to stay away from trimming her hair, fingernails and toenails, etc. The others will share in the reward but there is nothing required from them regarding withholding from cutting hair, nails etc.

This (removal of hair etc.) is regarding doing it intentionally. As for a person who took a bath or shower and some hair fell out, or if one of his toenails was cracked or he had an injury and he must be treated by clipping his toenail and like this, then inshaa’Allaah this is no problem and there is nothing that prevents the Muslim from doing this. However, they cannot intentionally trim or cut their hair or fingernail, etc.

As for the first ten days of Dhul-Hijjah and what should be done in those days, then they are the righteous deeds and good actions in general such as making takbeer – from them is to say,

اللَّهُ أكْبَرُ اللَّهُ أكْبَرُ، لا إِلهَ إِلاَّ اللَّهُ، واللَّهُ أكْبَرُ اللَّهُ أكْبَرُ ولِلَّهِ الحَمْدُ

“Allaahu Akbar, Allaahu Akbar, Laa ilaaha illallaah, wallaahu Akbar Allaahu Akbar wa lillaahih-hamd.”

Also, remembering Allaah عز وجل in general, reading the Qur’aan, going to the masjid early, making extra salaah, fasting, and all types of righteous actions for the rewards are multiplied and increased in these ten days of Dhul Hijjah. We ask Allaah سبحانه وتعالى to accept all of our good deeds and actions and to allow us to reach the seasons of good.

 

6. Question: How should we divide the meat for `Eed and distribute it; how did the Rasoolullaah صلى الله عليه وسلم divide his sacrificial animal?

Answer: The Sunnah is to divide the animal into three (3) thirds. One third should be for himself and his household, and there is no problem if you put this meat in the freezer or refrigerator, even if some months go by, then it is okay for him to eat it later on. Another third should be given to charity; he should give it to the poor and needy people. The last third should be presented as gifts to his relatives, neighbours, friends and close ones. It is not a condition that it is an exact third on the actual scales, inshaa’Allaah he may approximate.

 

7. Question: What is ruling of Udhiyyah on behalf of the dead? Is it permissible for me to sacrifice an animal on behalf of my parents who are dead?

Answer: It is not from the Sunnah for an entire sacrifice to be made for the deceased person - an entire animal by itself, unless it is something which he wrote in his will instructing his heirs to do it after his death.

The Muslim should slaughter for himself and his household and it is okay for him to make an intention in this Udhiyyah for his parents (to share in its reward) and if he likes then also for those who he wishes from the ones who have passed away and his relatives. The reward is great; the Messenger of Allaah صلى الله عليه وسلم performed the Udhiyyah and he said, “This is from me and from the entire nation of Muhammad who didn’t have the ability to slaughter”.  [3] Once again, there is a tremendous reward to perform this and if a person wishes to slaughter for himself and his family and to make an intention for his parents for the reward, then this is okay. Similarly, if he is well off and he has the financial ability to slaughter more than one animal, then that is also okay, as long as he has the financial means of doing so.

 

8. Question: “May a rich women slaughter an animal on behalf of her husband if she is able to do this?” Also, a similar question is: “Is Udhiyyah only mandatory upon the men? What happens if a woman is a rich businesswoman and she is able to do this, is it waajib (obligatory) upon her as well?”

Answer: We previously mentioned the answer to this question i.e. the woman is similar to the man in this ruling. If she wishes to slaughter then it is okay, if she wishes to slaughter and to send some of the reward to her household, her parents, her grandparents, and so on and so forth then all this is lawful (جائز) inshaa’Allaah. She says, “Yaa Allaah, this sacrifice is for me and my husband,” or “this sacrifice is for my family members” etc. All of this is permissible and lawful (جائز) to do inshaa’Allaah. This is because the objective of doing the Udhiyyah is an act of worship seeking the reward (from Allaah), and benevolence to the poor, needy people as well as giving the people good food to eat on this blessed and tremendous day and festival of `Eed.

 

9. Question: If someone has a debt, is it valid upon him to sacrifice an animal or should he pay the debt first?

Answer: That which is incumbent upon him is that he repays his debt and that he gives this person his rights - that which is obligatory upon him. Therefore, he is not required to perform the Udhiyyah, this is from that which is correct in this matter, and Allaah سبحانه وتعالى truly knows best.

 

The Shaykh حفظه الله then ended by praising Allaah and sending salaah and salaam upon the Messenger صلى الله عليه وسلم, his family and all his companions.

 

References

[1] Reported in Saheeh Muslim, Kitaab al-Masaajid wa Mawaadhi`is-Salaah (#828)

مَنْ بَنَى مَسْجِدًا لِلَّهِ تَعَالَى يَبْتَغِي بِهِ وَجْهَ اللَّهِ بَنَى اللَّهُ لَهُ بَيْتًا فِي الْجَنَّةِ

 

[2] Reported as part of a longer hadeeth in Sunan Ibn Maajah as well as the Musnad of Imaam Ahmad. Shaykh al-Albaanee رحمه الله said they are Saheeh in Saheeh al-Jaami` as-Sagheer (#6128, #6129).

من بنى لله مسجدا ولو كمفحص قطاة

 

[3] Reported with the following wording in Sunan Abi Daawood, 3/99 Hadeeth (#2810). Shaykh al-Albaanee رحمه الله said it is Saheeh.

شهدت مع رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم الأضحى بالمصلى فلما قضى خطبته نزل من منبره وأتي بكبش فذبحه رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم بيده وقال بسم الله والله أكبر هذا عني وعمن لم يضح من أمتي