Pouring Water on a Grave

Sajdah-e-Shukr (Sajdah of thankfulness) on joyful occasion

Question 1: Did our Holy Prophet صَلَّى اللہُ  عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم offer Sajdah-e-Shukr?

Answer: Yes, our Holy Prophet صَلَّى اللہُ  عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم  performed a Sajdah when he صَلَّى اللّٰہ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم heard the good news that Abu Jahl had been killed. (Seerat Halbiyyah, vol. 2, pp. 236)

When a child is born or one gets wealth or his lost thing is found, or a patient recovers, or a traveller returns from a journey, in short, when a person gets any blessing, it is Mustahab for him to perform Sajdah-e-Shukr. Its method is the same as that of Sajdah-e-Tilawat. (Fatawa Hindiyyah, vol. 1, pp. 136; Rad-dul-Muhtar, vol. 2, pp. 720; Madani Muzakarah, 4 Muharram-ul-Haraam 1441 Hijri)

To pour water on grave

Question 2: What is the Shar’i ruling on pouring water on a grave?

Answer: It is a Sunnah act to pour water on a grave after burying a dead person. (Derived from: Fatawa Razawiyyah, vol. 9, pp. 373) Likewise, it is permissible to water the plants etc. growing on a grave. However, it is a waste of water to pour water without any purpose just as a ritual on ‘Ashura (i.e. 10^th of Muharram-ul-Haraam) or any other day. It is a sin to waste water or to waste anything that has some cost without a purpose. (Derived from: Fatawa Razawiyyah, vol. 9, pp. 373) It is an act of foolishness if somebody pours water by thinking that it will cause coolness to the deceased or that it will put out the fire of torment. (Madani Muzakarah, 6 Rajab-ul-Murajjab, 1440 AH)

(Read these two books of Maktaba-tul-Madinah namely, ‘Namaz kay Ahkam’ and ‘Tajheez-o-Takfeen’ to know about the Shar’i rulings on giving Ghusl to a dead body, funeral, burial and funeral Salah.)

Shar’i ruling on reciting Quran loudly in the congregational Salah of Ishraq and Chasht?

Question 3: Is it permissible to recite the Holy Quran aloud in the congregational Salah of the Nawafil of Ishraq and Chasht?

Answer: The Imam of the congregational Salah of Ishraq and Chasht will recite the Holy Quran quietly^[1] and the Muqtadis will also remain silent, because it is prohibited for a Muqtadi to recite the Holy Quran. (Madani Muzakarah, 4 Muharram-ul-Haraam 1441 Hijri)

Miswak (a short dry twig for cleaning teeth) with a handgrip made of ivory

Question 4: Is it permissible to attach a handgrip made of ivory to a Miswak?

Answer: Though permissible, it is better to avoid it as it has been mentioned in Fatawa Razawiyyah: There is no harm if a Miswak is attached to an ivory handgrip, however it is better not to use it. (Fatawa Razawiyyah, vol. 4, pp. 471; Madani Muzakarah, 5 Rabi’-ul-Aakhir 1439 Hijri)

What do you say about offering Nafl Salah after Fajr Azan?

Question 5: Can Nafl Salah be offered after Fajr Azan?

Answer: No Nafl Salah is permissible except for two Rak’aat of Sunnah Salah of Fajr from Subh-e-Sadiq [dawn] to sunrise. (Bahar-e-Shari’at, vol. 1, pp. 455, summarised) It is permissible to offer Nafl Salah twenty minutes after sunrise. (Madani Muzakarah, 9 Rabi’-ul-Aakhir 1440 AH)

What do you say about calling a man an angel or a devil?

Question 6: What do you state about calling a righteous man an angel and a man committing bad deeds a devil?

Answer: If one does not mean a real, innocent angel, there is no harm in calling a righteous man an angel or angelic. However, it is advisable not to call a man a devil as it will hurt his feelings. Do not call a person a devil, even if he commits sins مَعَاذَ اللّٰە such as not offering Salah as that will hurt his feelings and he is likely to become stubborn. He may also have a grudge and enmity against the person calling him a devil, which might lead to a quarrel between them. Therefore, avoid calling anyone a devil. (Madani Muzakarah, 26 Rabi’-ul-Aakhir 1439 Hijri)

What do you say about giving Ghusl to a small child?

Question 7: If a four-year-old child dies, can a woman give Ghusl to him?

Answer: Yes, she can. (Fatawa Hindiyyah, vol. 1, pp. 160, Madani Muzakarah, 1 Rajab-ul-Murajjab 1440 Hijri)

What do you say about eating a heron?

Question 8: Is it Halal to eat the white bird which is called heron?

Answer: Yes, it is Halal to eat heron. (Hayat-ul-Haywan, vol. 2, pp. 438, 439)

(Read ‘volume 2 part 15 of Bahar-e-Shari’at’ to know about animals which are Halal and Haraam.) (Madani Muzakarah, 26 Rabi’-ul-Aakhir 1439 Hijri)

What is the Shar’i ruling on getting the head shaved before Sa’ee of ‘Umrah?

Question 9: If a person performing ‘Umrah has come out of the state of Ihram after getting his head shaved after Tawaf without performing Sa’ee, what is the Shar’i ruling for him?

Answer: It will be compulsory for him to pay a Dam and it will remain Wajib for him to perform Sa’ee. However, it is not necessary for him to perform this Sa’ee in the state of Ihram. (Sharh Lubab-ul-Manasik, pp. 248, 504)

Dam refers to the sacrifice of a goat or ram fulfilling the requirements of a sacrificial animal within the boundaries of Haram. Either slaughter it on your own or get it slaughtered by someone. It is not permissible for a person himself and for a rich person to eat its meat, but rather it will be given right on the spot as Sadaqah to a Shar’i Faqeer. (ibid, pp. 254, 255, 270) Moreover, it is such a sin which if has been committed due to a lack of knowledge, repentance is obligatory for it.

(Read the book ‘Rafeeq-ul-Mu’tamireen’ published by Maktaba-tul-Madinah to know about the method of performing ‘Umrah and rulings pertaining to it.) (Madani Muzakarah, 6 Rabi-ul-Aakhir 1439 Hijri)

Who can shoulder the bier of a woman?

Question 10: What do you state about the announcement made in the funeral procession of a woman: ‘Non-Mahram are requested not to shoulder the bier’?

Answer: It is wrong to make such announcements. Any Muslim whether Mahram or non-Mahram can shoulder the bier of a woman. (Madani Muzakarah, 6 Rabi’-ul-Aakhir 1439 Hijri)

Selling beef and mutton on Tuesday and Wednesday

Question 11: Some people say that the reason for not selling beef on Tuesday and Wednesday is that Qaabeel killed Sayyiduna Haabeel رَحْمَةُ اللہُ عَلَيْه on this day. What actually is the fact?

Answer: This is not the fact. All these are sayings of general public. Probably, due to shortage of livestock in Pakistan, beef and mutton is not sold twice a week i.e. on Tuesday and Wednesday. This is not the case everywhere in the world since beef and mutton is sold even on Tuesday and Wednesday in many countries. Some people are likely to sell beef and mutton secretly on these days even in Pakistan, because beef and mutton is available in hotels during these days. Moreover, cows and goats would be slaughtered for preparing food for ceremonies like wedding, etc. (Madani Muzakarah, 22, Rajab-ul-Murajjab 1440 Hijri)