Truth Exposed

 On this page is clarification on what is Halal and Haram on issues and matters which are unclear or are debated. Halal and Haram are things that are permissible or forbidden in Islam for Muslims. The topics include:

• Music / Songs
• Smoking
• Veil & Hijab
• Women in Masjid
• Intercourse, Anal & Oral

Music / Songs

 Hazrath Anas (R.A.) reports that Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) said:

  “There will certainly be people from my Ummah who will attempt to legalize fornication, the wearing of silk (for males), the consuming of wine and the use of musical instruments”

 Indeed this prophesy of Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) is glaring before us. Despite the clear prohibition of the use of musical instruments, great efforts are being made to “legalize” their use. While some people wish to declare all music permissible, others are opening the door slowly by declaring that only the use of the “duff” is permissible. Thus it is necessary to examine the reality of these claims in the light of the Qur’an and Sunnah.

 In Surah Luqman, Allah Ta’ala declares:

  “And among the people are those who purchase idle talk in order to mislead others from the path of Allah in ignorance.”

 Hazrath Abdullah bin Masood (R.A.) states emphatically that this verse was revealed regarding singing and musical instruments. The same has been reported from Hazrath Abdullah bin Abbas (R.A.) and Hazrath Jaabir (R.A.) (Tafseer Qurtubi). Therefore, when these illustrious students of Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam), who witnessed the revelation of the Ayat of the Qur’an, are clear that this verse prohibits music and musical instruments, the ‘view’ of any 21st century modern ‘scholar’ to the contrary holds no weight.

 Various hadith also clearly prohibit music and the use of musical instruments. Hazrath Abdullah bin Umar (R.A.) reports that once Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) heard the sound of the flute of a shepherd. He immediately placed his fingers into his ears (to block out the sound) (Musnad Ahmad). How tragic it is that our beloved Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) blocks his ears to the sound of music but his Ummah opens their ears wide to the same sounds. In another narration Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) is reported to have said:

 “Verily Allah Ta’ala has sent me as a guidance and as a mercy to the Believers and He has commanded me to destroy musical instruments”      (Musnad Ahmad)

 Experiments carried out by scientists have confirmed that the music today is such that it does not only affect the brain, but each and every organ of one`s body. There is a close relationship between music and bodily movements. We find that people listening to music automatically start tapping their fingers and feet, as if the music is permeating in their blood. It is also proved that music affects ones emotions, increases arousal in terms of alertness and excitement and also leads to various physiological changes in the person. In a psychology experiment, it was found that listening to moderate type of music increased ones normal heart beat, whilst listening to rock music the heart beat increased even further, yet people claim that music has no effect. It is a very ignorant and misguided attitude to perceive music as a form of pleasure and passing of time, since the messages of todays music follow a general theme of love, fornication, bad language, murder and drugs amongst many other filth.

 As for the permissible, the duff is a musical instrument and therefore it will primarily be included in the above prohibition. However, some concession was given for the use of the duff on the occasion of a Nikah. The Sahaaba (R.A.), who were the direct students of Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) understood the commands of the Qur’an and Hadith far better than we can ever hope to understand. Also a nasheed is an Islamic-oriented song, traditionally it is a vocal music (cappella), accompanied only by a duff. This musical style is used because Islam as prohibits the use of musical instruments as already mentioned with exception of some very basic percussion. Many people admire the purity and simplicity of the music. Basically, nothing of this worldly material should distract you from remembrance of Allah. Best are to listen to Islamic nasheeds and of course, there is nothing better than listening to a good recitation of the Holy Quran itself. That way you will be listening to something worthwhile, and increasing your knowledge at the same time.

 In Islam cleanliness and hygiene are emphasized to the extent that it has been considered a part of Iman (faith). It is very well known that a smoker's mouth is unclean and foul smelling 'like a cigarette ash-tray.' Allah (SWT) says:

 "And forbids them what is bad."                                                        (Qur'an 7: 157)

 "O you who believe! Intoxicants and gambling are an abomination of Satan's handiwork. Eschew such abominations that ye may prosper."         (Qur'an 5: 93)

 The word intoxicant has three meanings: 

• To induce, especially the effect of ingested alcohol.
• To stimulate or excite.
• To poison.  

 "And slay not the life which Allah hath forbidden..."                      (Qur'an 17: 33)

 "And make not your own hands contribute to your destruction." (Quran 2: 195)

 "Nor kill or destroy yourselves for verily Allah hath been to you most   Merciful."                                                                                                 (Qur'an 4: 29)

 The Prophet of Allah (peace be upon him) has said: "Nor be hurt or injure others." It is scientifically proven that the exhaled smoke of the smoker is hazardous to non-smokers around them. The amount of money also a smoker spends on cigarette smoking in a period of 30 years is calculated to be Two Hundred Thousand Dollars or more. All this money is simply wasted (not including the money spent on the smoker's health care). 

 "But squander not your wealth in the manner of a spend thrift, verily spendthrifts are brothers of evils."                                                (Qur'an 17: 26-27)

 The body is polluted by smoking. Hence smokers cannot pray until they have cleansed themselves. According to the Qur'an:

 "O you who believe! Draw not near unto prayer when you are drunken, till ye know that which ye utter, nor when you are polluted save when journeying upon the road, till you have bathed."                                                  (Qur'an 4: 43)

 The Christians consider the human body to be a sacred trust given to man by God because it contains the spirit breathed into it by God. Even the Qur'an says

 "So, when I have made him and have breathed unto him of My spirit, do ye fall down, prostrating yourselves unto him”                                            (Qur'an15: 29)

 Hence the physical body should not be polluted, injured or destroyed in any way by smoking or taking of alcohol or any type of habit-forming drugs.

Conclusion

 For the foregoing reasons and for reasons considered elsewhere smoking is Haram or unlawful in Islam, hence smoking should be discouraged and finally banned in all Islamic countries.

 All smoking Muslims should give up this unhealthy and un-Islamic activity. The best way to give it up is to stop all smoking completely. Tapering off on the amount one smokes does not work for most people. It is not easy to quit suddenly, but it is presently the most successful way. There are many ways and techniques available for a serious minded person to give up smoking, which cannot be discussed here.  For the Muslims who sincerely practice Islam and who submit themselves to the Will of Allah, this should not be a difficult task.

 Here will be discussed the issue of the Veil and Hijab for women, and the requirement of them. Much is debated if women need to wear the veil or even both, here is a passage from the Holy Qur'an relating to this issue.

 "And say to the believing women that they should lower their gaze and guard their modesty; that they should not display their beauty and ornaments except what (must ordinarily) appear thereof; that they should draw their veils over their bosoms and not display their beauty except to their husbands, their fathers, their husband's fathers, their sons, their husbands' sons, their brothers or their brothers' sons, or their sisters' sons, or their women, or the slaves whom their right hands possess, or male servants free of physical needs, or small children who have no sense of the shame of sex; and that they should not strike their feet in order to draw attention to their hidden ornaments. And O ye Believers! turn you all together towards Allah, that you may attain Bliss."                                                                                                       (Qur'an 24:31)

 "Prophet enjoin your wives, your daughters and the wives of true believers to draw their veils close round them. This is more proper, so that they may be recognized and not be molested."                                                       (Qur'an 33:59)

 Most people would agree that women should and are required to cover their heads and hair when they are around strange men, debate arrises about the covering of the face as well. Some women cover their face and some do not. What can be agreed atleast is that the covering of the hair is a least minimum, however the veil and covering the face can be said to be at least better and recommended to keep greater modesty and cover more beauty from strange eyes. Muslims see it as a symbol and an act of empowerment, both for its explicit rejection of Western values and its implicit meaning as a status symbol: many Muslims see the veil as a sign of distinction, the more so because it evokes a connection to the Prophet Muhammad and His wives.

 "If you ask his wives for anything, speak to them from behind a curtain. This is more chaste for your hearts and their hearts."                                  (Qur'an 33:53)

 "It shall be no offense for the Prophet's wives to be seen unveiled by their fathers, their sons, their brothers, their brothers' sons, their sisters' sons, their women, or their slave-girls."                                                                 (Qur'an 33:55)

 The verses clearly show that the veil has by now been definitely imposed upon Muhammad's pbuh wives. The wives and daughters of the Holy Prophet pbuh are role models for Muslim women, therefore if the veil was good for the holy Prophets wives, then it must be good for the current women of Islam too. Muslim women should wear the veil as the face is a centre point of fitnah and as we move forward in time the fitnah is increasing, many women who wear the Hijab and who uncover their faces wear make up and are attracting attention to their face and themselves.

 Therefore whether the veil is obligatory or not is debated, however it is certainly understood as being recommended and adviced as it is from the sunnah and it is far better to wear it and therefore also far more rewarding. I believe it is wrong for the Muslim women in Turkey and the West etc to believe in Islam and be "good" Muslims, and then protest against the "divine" Islamic injunctions being carried out in the "true" nature of Islam by "true" Muslims who have dedicated their lives to the service of Islam, a pure and pristine Islam as practiced and preached by Prophet Muhammad pbuh and as revealed by Allah SWT Himself. If these women believe in Islam, it is un-Islamic to hate the "veil" and what "the true soldiers of Faith " are doing in trying to impose atleast a covering of the head.

 If there is a genuine reason for women to go to the mosque, such as learning, meetings, events, lectures or if one is out of the house for a need and the time for prayer has come, then there is nothing disliked about women praying in the mosque whatsoever. Also, if a woman want's to go and pray in the Mosque for her own personal desires then in that situation she should not be prevented from this, we should keep in mind the words of the Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace),

 'Do not prevent women from attending the mosque, even though their houses are better for them.'                                                                                (Abu Dawud)

 Islamic law requires men and women to be separated in the prayer hall; the women should occupy the rows behind the men (so the men are not distracted by the women infront). However, the Holy Prophet pbuh encouraged women to stay at home and pray instead of going to the mosque, as this would be better for them. Men have to pray at the Mosque while Muhammad pbuh preferred women to pray at home.

 "The best mosques for women are the inner parts of their houses."

 More hasinnot for the women if they pray at home, while more hasinnot for the men if they pray at the masjid! Some women are more driven by feminist urges than Islam when trying to get ladies sections in Mosques and even harass the leaders in an unacceptable manner. If a woman insists on going out wearing her shabbiest clothes and not adorning herself, then she should not go out. In this case the husband has the right to stop her from going out. A'ishah (may Allah be pleased with her) said in this regard after the Prophet’s death:

 "If the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) would have seen what the women do now, he would have stopped them from coming to Mosques, just as the women of Bani Isra’eel were stopped."

 The words of `A’ishah  (may Allah be pleased with her), do not contradict women in general being allowed to pray at the Mosque (provided that women are meeting the Islamic conditions attached to them going out). It is better if permission is given only to those women who are not going to look at men or be looked at, whose attendance will not lead to anything undesirable and who are not going to rub shoulders with men on the street or in the mosque. (i.e women whose going out will not cause fitnah or temptation to her or to men).

 Men should check on their womenfolk when they going out for the prayer to make sure that their hijab is complete, because they are the “shepherds” who are responsible for their “flocks”. Women should go out not adorned or wearing perfume. Menstruating women should not enter the mosque or prayer-place; they can wait in the car, for example, where they can hear the khutbah or on a radio at home which is connected to the local Masjid.

 Some couples may believe that they can demand anything and everything when it comes to the bedroom. However, this is not the case. Sexual relations, even within marriage, are subject to the rulings of the Sacred Law. Islam is a complete way of life and there is an etiquette for every possible situation and every relationship.  

 Anal sex is prohibited in clear texts from the Prophet pbuh. A man who performs anal sex on his wife has sinned an enormity and is liable to being cursed by Allah, and we seek refuge from that. This is not an area Muslim couples should play around with. Anal sex is repulsive and simply has no place in a Muslim's life or for any human. It runs counter to the spirit of Islamic marriage, which is premised on love and mercy. Not only is it physically injurious, it also violates the rights of the wife, who is entitled to vaginal intercourse and the right to have progeny through this intercourse if she wishes. Furthermore, it is reminiscent of the way homosexual males approach each other. So why would Muslims wish to engage in this action when there are so many other permissible ways of experiencing sexual pleasure?

 In regards to oral sex, there is no doubt that this practice is disgusting and obviously disliked. It undermines the good manners between the husband and wife, and could possibly be a cause for each partner disliking the other and leading to separation. If it entails the swallowing of filthy substances, such as the discharged semen, then it is prohibitively disliked and sinful. This form of intimacy is also the cause for spread of infections and diseases, and against the biological functions in which humans are created to do. The mouth is for Dhikr, recitation of the Qur'an, adhan, eating and drinking and also speaking. The mouth is what you use to practice and spread  this deen of Islam and to praise and worship the Lord, Allah the Almighty, and is certainly not the place for private parts to be inserted. 

 Ayesha (radiallahu anhu) was one the the wives of the Messenger of Allah (pbuh) and it is narrated on her authority that: 

 "He (the Messenger of Allah pbuh) did not see this of her and she did not see this of Him". (i.e. they did not even see each other’s private parts, even though it is permissible)

 “Your wives are a tilth for you, so go to your tilth (Have sexual relations with your wives in any manner as long as it is in the vagina and not in the anus), when or how you will, and send (good deeds, or ask Allah to bestow upon you pious offspring) for your own selves beforehand. And fear Allah, and know that you are to meet Him (in the Hereafter), and give good tidings to the believers (O Muhammad).”                                                                                   (Qur'an 2:223)

 Help your partner to obey Allah by not consenting to these reprehensible action. There are many options to explore that are conducive to a healthy, halal sex life. Remember, each soul is accountable to Allah Ta'ala for what they have earned. Therefore, you are responsible before Allah Ta'ala according to the hadith of the Prophet, Allah bless him and give him peace, "No obedience to creation in disobedience to the Creator."

 Remember, a marriage is all about love and intimacy. Neither spouse has the right to coerce/force the other. This is especially true in their sex life where the spouses should strive for dignity and respect for one another's feelings. If the partner still keeps forcing anal/oral sex, then you need to seek counseling. If one says no, and the other keeps on going, then this is considered marital rape, and should not tolerate this and should seek help. So please see what can be done about creating a healthy, happy sexual relationship wherein each spouse is respected and given the Islamic courtesy they deserve.

And Allah knows best!