Islamic Rulings relating to Women
Mufti Muhammad Qasim Attari
(1) A bride’s departure under the shade of the noble Quran
Q: What do the scholars of Islam say regarding the following: during weddings, when the time arrives for the bride’s departure, we often see that a copy of the noble Quran is placed above her head, and she leaves in its shade. Does Islam permit this?
بِسْمِ اللّٰہِ الرَّحْمٰنِ الرَّحِیْمِ
اَلْجَوَابُ بِعَوْنِ الْمَلِکِ الْوَھَّابِ اَللّٰھُمَّ ھِدَایَۃَ الْحَقِّ وَالصَّوَابِ
A: The noble Quran contains countless benefits and blessings. Just as reciting it, memorising it, listening to it, acting upon it, and reflecting upon it are a means of gaining blessings and goodness, so too is a physical copy of the noble Quran a source of blessings and mercy. Therefore, it is permissible and recommended (mustaḥab) to seek blessings from it. The purpose of holding the noble Quran above the bride’s head at the time of her departure is to gain the noble Quran’s blessings. Thus, doing this with the above-mentioned intention is permissible and a means of reward. However, it is important to keep the following points in mind:
1. On such occasions, only someone in a state of wudu should hold the noble Quran. In the case of not having wudu, one must hold it using an unattached cloth or wrapper. This is because it is not permissible for a person to touch the noble Quran without wudu.
2. As the purpose of carrying out the above-mentioned action is to attain blessings from the holy Quran, special care must be taken to not play music, set off fireworks, or engage in other prohibited matters. Firstly, this is because to do so would be disrespectful towards the holy Quran. Secondly, it would be totally unacceptable for blessings to be sought from the holy Quran whilst the very commandments of the holy Quran are being violated. Even if a copy of the holy Quran is not present, one is still required to avoid sins. But in its presence, due to its grandeur and status, it becomes even more important to refrain from such acts.
وَاللہُ اَعْلَمُ عَزَّوَجَلَّ وَ رَسُوْلُہٗ اَعْلَم صلَّی اللہ علیہ واٰلہٖ وسلَّم
(2) Should women reply to the first adhan of JumuꜤah salah, or the second?
Q: What do the scholars of Islam say regarding the following: should women respond to the first adhan of JumuꜤah salah, to the second adhan, or to both?
بِسْمِ اللّٰہِ الرَّحْمٰنِ الرَّحِیْمِ
اَلْجَوَابُ بِعَوْنِ الْمَلِکِ الْوَھَّابِ اَللّٰھُمَّ ھِدَایَۃَ الْحَقِّ وَالصَّوَابِ
A: It is recommended (mustaḥabb) for women to reply to both adhans of JumuꜤah salah. The ruling on replying to the first adhan is like other adhans, and there is no difference between them. As for the second adhan, it is only prohibited for those offering salah behind the imam to respond to it; it is not prohibited for others to reply, such that even the one delivering the sermon (khatīb) can respond to it. As women do not attend JumuꜤah salah, but rather they remain in their homes, this prohibition of replying to the second adhan does not apply to them; it is permissible for them to reply to it. The disliked element (karāhah) of responding to the second adhan is only for those offering salah behind the imam. Hence, the one who is not offering salah behind the imam can reply.
وَاللہُ اَعْلَمُ عَزَّوَجَلَّ وَ رَسُوْلُہٗ اَعْلَم صلَّی اللہ علیہ واٰلہٖ وسلَّم
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