How Is It To Bite Nails With One’s Teeth?

Questions and answers from Madani Muzakaras

1. How is it to trim the nails with one’s teeth?

Q: Can the nails be trimmed by biting on them?

A: The nails should not be trimmed with one’s teeth, as this can lead to leukoderma (white patches on the skin).

2. What does “the Quran will be lifted” mean?

Q: When the Day of Judgement commences, the words of the Quran will be lifted. Will the Quran also be removed from the hearts of those who memorised it?

A: Yes, when the Day of Judgement arrives, the words of the Quran will be lifted and it will also be removed from the hearts of those who memorised it.

The Companion Abū Hurayra رَضِىَ اللّٰهُ عَـنْهُ reports: “Such a night will come upon the Book of Allah that the people will wake up in the morning, and not even a verse or letter of it will remain in any heart. It will be removed from them all.”^[1]

3. A mark upon the big toe of Ṣiddīqīs

Q: Who is a Ṣiddīqī and why do they have marks on their big toes?

A: A descendant of the family of Abū Bakr al-Ṣiddīq رَضِىَ اللّٰهُ عَـنْهُ is called a Ṣiddīqī, as explained in Maktabat al-Madina’s book, Unparalleled Devotee. It is possible to see the mark of a snake bite on their big toe. Yet, it is unlawful to think badly about a Ṣiddīqī if said mark cannot be seen. I requested a Ṣiddīqī scholar to show me his mark, and he said his father scratched the mark to reveal it, but now it is hidden.

The well-known Quranic commentator, Mufti Aḥmad Yār Khān رَحْمَةُ الـلّٰـهِ عَـلَيْه said:

Some of the righteous said the descendants of Muhammad b. Abū Bakr رَضِىَ اللّٰهُ عَـنْهُ (the son of Abū Bakr al-Ṣiddīq) have a black mole on their big toe. It is also said that if both parents are from the lineage of Muhammad bin Abū Bakr رَضِیَ الـلّٰـهُ عَنْهُمَا, the child will have a black mole on both big toes. I have seen this on many Ṣiddīqīs.^[2]

If there is no mark on a Ṣiddīqī’s toe even though he calls himself by this title, we should accept him as such, because we are not compelled to request his family tree. He could be hurt by the request, and it is impermissible to make someone upset. Similarly, we are not obliged to request for the lineage of the people who call themselves sayyids. We should accept their claim and respect them. We will be rewarded for this - اِنْ شَــآءَالـلّٰـه.

4. Taking payment to wash the deceased

Q: Is it permissible to receive a wage for washing the deceased?

A: It is permissible for someone to take payment for this if there are others who wash the deceased in that area; otherwise, it is impermissible.

In Bahār-i-Sharīat: “If there are other people besides him who wash the bodies of the deceased, then he can take payment, but it is better to not to. If no one else is available to wash the deceased, it is impermissible to take payment.”^[3]

5. Prostrating once instead of twice

Q: If someone prostrates once instead of twice (during salah), is his prayer valid?

A: His prayer will not be valid, as written in Bahār-i-Sharīat: “It is obligatory to prostrate twice in every unit of salah.”^[4]

6. Can a woman give bayʿa without her husband’s permission?

Q: Can a woman give bayʿa (pledge allegiance to a spiritual guide) without the permission of her husband?

A: Yes, a woman can pledge allegiance to a spiritual guide (who meets the required conditions) without the permission of her husband. Veiling as per Islamic law must be observed between a spiritual guide and a female murīd, and it is haram for a woman to touch her shaykh’s hand. (For further information, read Manners towards a Perfect Spiritual Guide.)^[5]

7. How is it to say qubūl once during a nikāḥ?

Q: Will a nikāḥ be valid if qubūl is said only once?

A: Yes, the nikāḥ will be valid, but saying it three times is better.^[6]

8. The ranks of the Companions

Q: In what order are Companions رَضِیَ الـلّٰـهُ عَنْهُم ranked?

A: After the prophets and messengers (included at this rank are the four angels closest to Allah, namely Jibrīl, Mikāˈīl, Isrāfīl and Izrāˈīl عَـلَـيْـهِمُ الـصَّلٰوةُ وَالـسَّـلَام, and the angels who carry the ʿArsh), the greatest of creation from humans, jinn, and angels is Abū Bakr al-Ṣiddīq, then ꜤUmar b. al-Khaṭṭāb, then ꜤUthmān b. ꜤAffān, then ꜤAlī b. Abī Ṭālib, then the remainder of the ꜤAshara Mubashhara, Imam Ḥasan and Imam Ḥusayn, those who fought in the Battle of Badr, those who fought in the Battle of Uhud, and those who pledged allegiance under the Tree (referring to BayꜤat al-Riḍwān) رَضِیَ الـلّٰـهُ عَنْهُم.^[7]

9. How is it to write “M” instead of Muhammad?

Q: Instead of writing the name Muhammad, is it permissible to write the short form “M” instead?

A: When it comes to writing our name, scholars have prohibited from writing “M” instead of Muhammad. When writing the Prophet’s name, it is forbidden to write “ؐ” or “صَلْعَم” instead of ṣalāt next to it, as explained in Bahār-i-Sharīat.^[8] Write complete ṣalāt whenever the name of the Prophet صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم is mentioned.^[9]

10.How is it to check other People’s Phones?

Q: Some people have a habit of checking other people’s phones and reading their messages. Is this permissible?

A: This is impermissible. The Prophet صَلَّى الـلّٰـهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم said, “Whoever looks at his brother’s letter without permission; it is as though he looks at the Fire.”^[10]

Phones will contain private matters like images and conversations, which are impermissible for a stranger to view without permission. Anyone who is guilty of this must repent. If you lend your phone to someone, tell them they can make a call, but cannot browse through anything on it.^[11]

11. What is the correct pronunciation of Abū Bakr?

Q: Is Abū Bakr correct or Abū Bakar?

A: The correct pronunciation is Abū Bakr. There are many words commonly mispronounced. For example:

*    ذِکَر instead of ذِکْر

*    فِکَر instead of فِکْر

*    قَبَر instead of قَبْر

*    قُران سَریف instead of شریف قرآن

*    سُبَانَ اللہ instead of سُبْحٰنَ اللہ

*    اَلَمْدُلَا is mispronounced as اَلْحَمْدُ لِلہِ

*    سَامْ عَلَیْکُمْ سَالِیْکُم is mispronounced as اَلسَّلَامُ عَلَیْکُمْ

اَعُوْذُ بِاللّٰہ and بِسْمِ اللہ are also not pronounced correctly, even though they are Islamic terms and invocations. It is a must to say them correctly and this can only be done through learning. May Allah make us good and allow us to correct our mistakes.^[12]

12. Forcing someone to give a gift

Q: At the time of marriage, people often say that a gift must be given to the maternal uncle. For instance, even if the maternal uncle’s daughter becomes widowed, something must be given to him, and similarly, when she gets married, he should be given something, like an outfit or other gift. Is it appropriate to give in this way?

A: If someone wishes to give a gift willingly, they may do so, as it’s common practice to give at weddings. Moreover, if it’s the marriage of a nephew or niece, one should give cheerfully and even consider giving more, as such joyful occasions are rare. However, no one should be forced to give. ^[13]

13. How is it for children to visit Medina before their parents?

Q: How is it for a son to visit Medina before his parents?

A: A son can travel to Medina before his parents; there is no harm in this. If ḥajj is obligatory upon him and his parents do not permit him to go, he must still travel.^[14]

14. How can we keep thinking well of others?

Q: Sometimes, people say such things whereby it is impossible to think positively of them. What should be done in this scenario?

A: Force yourself to think positively and do not say the bad thoughts that come to mind.^[15]

15. Is it disrespectful for one’s beard to touch the ground?

Q: Will it be disrespectful if the beard touches the ground?

A: Why will it be disrespectful? When one sleeps on the floor, it is obvious his beard will touch the ground. It also comes into contact with the ground when one prostrates. This is not disrespectful.^[16]

16. Is it the father’s responsibility to give his children a home?

Q: Is it the father’s duty to give his children a home?

A: For as long as the father’s children are his responsibility, he must provide them with accommodation.^[17]

If they are no longer in his care, like when they get married, it is not his duty to provide them with accommodation.^[18]