Madani Muzakarah

1. The shrine of Sayyidunā Ḥamzah

Q: I have heard that if someone visits the shrines of the martyrs of Uḥud رَضِىَ الـلّٰـهُ عَـنْهُم whilst intending to name their child Ḥamzah, then Allah will grant the visitor a male child. Is this correct?

A: I do not completely recall this topic. But yes, supplications are accepted when one is near the pious.^{^[1]} Sayyidunā Ḥamzah رَضِىَ الـلّٰـهُ عَـنْهُ is the chief of the martyrs and the leader of the saints. The shrines of Uḥud’s other martyrs are near his grave. By the mercy of Allah, whoever visits these places and prays to Him for a son will be granted his wish. Not only this, if one asks for forgiveness or salvation from Hell, they will also be granted this. Whatever one asks for shall be granted,اِنْ شَــآءَالـلّٰـه.^{^[2]}

2. The reason Imam Aḥmad Razā Khān is referred to as Ḥāmī al-Sunnah

Q: Why is Imam Aḥmad Razā Khān رَحْمَةُ الـلّٰـهِ عَلَيْه referred to as Ḥāmī al-Sunnah?

A: The meaning of this honorary title is “he who supports, propagates, and explains the Sunnah.” As Imam Aḥmad Razā Khān رَحْمَةُ الـلّٰـهِ عَلَيْه stood in staunch defence and support of the Sunnah, he is referred to by this title.^{^[3]}

3. Wudu with cracked feet

Q: I have cracked feet which hurt a lot when they are washed. How should I perform wudu?

A: However much of your feet you are capable of washing, it will be obligatory (farḍ) to wash that much. The remaining parts you cannot pour water over due to pain must be wiped using a wet hand in such a way that moisture reaches all those parts.^{^[4]}

4) Saying “we have not heard this ruling until today”

Q: When some people hear a ruling which is new to them, they say, “We have not heard this until today,” or “No one has told us such a thing until today.” What do you say about such people?

A: Nobody is going to come to the homes of such people and inform them that the ruling is as such. The complainant should think hard about his efforts to acquire knowledge. Although books are filled with knowledge, you will only acquire that knowledge once you actually read. Likewise, by staying in the company of those who love Allah’s Messenger صَلَّى الـلّٰـهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم, such as scholars of the Ahl al-Sunnah and members of Dawat-e-Islami, one will learn a great deal.

Now if a person spends day and night watching sinful T.V. programmes, remains in the company of bad people and neither offers salah nor fasts, how will he learn about Islamic rulings? In order to seek knowledge of Islam, affiliate yourself with the Madani environment of Dawat-e-Islami, read Islamic books, Bahār-e-SharīꜤat in particular, and stay in good company. اِنْ شَــآءَالـلّٰـه You will learn a lot.^{^[5]}

5. Do we need to answer every azan?

Q: If one has answered an azan after hearing it ˹but others are taking place at the same time˺, do we need to answer the others also?

A: It is sufficient to just answer the first azan.^{^[6]} You may answer the others, if you so wish.^{^[7]}

6. The town of Allah

Q: Can we refer to a place as the “town of Allah?”

A: There is no problem in this, as everything belongs to Him. He Himself states in the Quran:

لِلّٰہِ مَا فِی السَّمٰوٰتِ وَ مَا فِی الۡاَرۡضِ ؕ

“Only to Allah belongs whatever is in the heavens and whatever is in the earth.”^{^[8]}

A masjid is also referred to as the house of Allah. Any and all towns truly belong to Him. So, if a place is named the town of Allah, there is no issue with this.^{^[9]}

7. Imam begins the supplication (duʿā) before followers complete post-salah litanies

Q: If we have not completed the prescribed litanies for after salah and the imam begins the duʿā, what should we do?

A: Some rush the litanies to join the collective supplication (duʿā). There is a great possibility of incorrect pronunciation in this. Whether a litany or the Quran, it is essential to recite them correctly, articulating each letter from the correct articulation point. It is better not to recite than to recite with improper pronunciation. It is not necessary to recite the Fāṭimī Litany (tasbīh-i-Fāṭimah) before the duʿā. Do not carry out both simultaneously, i.e., the litany and the duʿā, as you will not be fully engaged and focused on either one. Calmly join the duʿā with the imam and then recite the litany.^{^[10]}

8. A legal rule relating to wudu

Q: Is wudu nullified due to an impurity falling onto one’s body?

A: No. Wudu is not nullified due to an impurity falling onto one’s body.^{^[11]}

9. Responding to praise and compliments

Q: If someone praises you, what should you do?

A: One should not be pleased with himself when praised. I have extensive experience of the world and its people. While it praises you, it never fails to speak ill of you either. Your 99 acts of kindness are easily dismissed by people because of a single thing you do which they do not like.

Whenever we are praised, it is appropriate to recite “ اَسْتَغْفِرُ الـلّٰـه” (I seek forgiveness from Allah). Praise and expressions of admiration are like poisonous arrows. It is our respective destinies whether we escape from these or stand chest out and let them strike our heart. It is apparent that people generally like being praised and enjoy it because the carnal self (nafs) is greatly deceptive. It does not like being censured but adores praise. Therefore, whenever you are praised, seek Allah’s forgiveness to save yourself from love of fame and conceit.^{^[12]}