'Abdul-'Azeez ibn Baaz

Dedicated to his and works.

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Sajdatut-Tilawah

Question: If I come across a Verse in which there is a prostration when I am reciting the Quran at my desk, or when I am teaching the students, or in any place, should I perform Sajdatut-Tilawah, or not? And is the prostration for the reciter and the listener both?  Answer: Sajdatut-Tilawah is a Sunnah for the reciter and for the listener and it is not an obligation, nor is it prescribed for the listener except in following of the reciter. So if you recite a Verse in which there is a prostration in your office or the place of instruction, it is lawful for you to make prostration and it is prescribed for the students to prostrate with you, because they are the listeners. And if you do not observe the prostration, there is no objection.  [Shaykh `Abdul-`Azeez Bin Baz; Fatawa Islamiyah Vol. 2 Page 28]

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Pay attention to your family members and do not neglect them, O slave of Allah. You have to strive hard to guide them. Instruct your sons and daughters to pray when they are seven, and smack them if they do not pray when they are ten, a light smack to help them obey Allah and help them get used to praying on time, so that they will adhere to the religion of Allah and know the truth, as it says in the saheeh Sunnah of the Messenger of Allah (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him).

Shaykh Ibn Baaz [Majmoo‘ Fataawa Ibn Baaz (6/46)]

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Qiyaam ul Layl Aloud or with Subvocal Recitation?

Q: Which is better: To offer Qiyam-ul-Layl (optional Prayer at night) aloud or with subvocal recitation? 

A: It is best to recite the Qur'an in Qiyam-ul-Layl aloud; however, if you recite in a subvocal voice, there is nothing wrong in doing that. Thus, offering it aloud is the preferable manner. It is reported that the Prophet (peace be upon him) used to recite the Qur'an in Qiyam-ul-Layl aloud, and may have performed it in a subvocal voice, as reported by `Aishah (may Allah be pleased with her). It is Sunnah (action following the example of the Prophet) in performing Qiyam-ul-Layl whether it is offered at home, on a journey or in the Masjid (mosque) in Taraweeh(special supererogatory night Prayer in Ramadan) or Qiyam-ul-Layl (optional Prayer at night) in Ramadan, to recite out loud. This applies to men and women alike, at home to in the Masjid. However, if there are Ajanib (men other than husbands or unmarriageable relatives) at a woman's home, it is better for her to offer such Prayer with subvocal recitation, because her voice might tempt some people. Similarly, when a woman recites Talbiyah (devotional expressions chanted at certain times during Hajj and `Umrah) and there are Ajanib around her, then it is better for her to do so in a subvocal voice. As for the obligatory Jahri Salah (Prayer recited out loud), she should offer them at home and should recite the Qur'an aloud. But if she prays behind an Imam (the one who leads congregational Prayer), she should listen attentively to his recitation.

[Ibn Baaz; Fatawa Nur 'ala al darb]

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Fear Allaah O Musilms! And take hold of the hands of your women and prevent them from doing what Allaah has forbidden, such as unveiling, showing off their adornment, exposing their features, and imitating the enemies of Allaah, from the Christians and those who follow them. And know that remaining silent with them (when they commit these evil deeds) is the same as participating with them in their sin and in receiving Allaah’s anger and punishment. May Allaah protect you and us from the evil of that.

Sheikh ibn Baaz [rahimahullah] [Taken from "The Four Essays On The Obligation Of Veiling", Pp. 20-21]

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by Sheikh 'Abdul 'Azeez ibn Baaz

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Ibn Baz has filled the world with knowledge.

Shaykh al-Albanee [Silsila al-Huda wan Noor 739]

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The means that will help a Muslim to wake up for Fajr prayer

Question: What are the means that will help a Muslim to wake up for the morning prayer? Bearing in mind that he goes to bed early, but does not wake up until after the sun has risen.

Answer: It is an obligation upon every Muslim to fear Allaah, and to pray the five prescribed prayers at their appointed times in the Masjid along with the Muslim congregation. He must be vigilant in carrying out all of the means that will aid him upon this. And from the ways that will help him stand for the Fajr prayer with the congregation are:

1) He (should) sleep early;

2) Set an alarm clock to the appropriate hour so that he gets up for the prayer on time and attends it in congregation; and

3) He must strive in imploring Allaah for success and assistance.

He should also repeat the legislated words of remembrance before he goes to sleep. By doing so, Allaah will grant him success – in shaa` Allaah – in rising up for the prayer on time, and performing it with the rest of the Jamaa’ah.

[Ibn Baaz; Majmoo` Fataawaa wa Maqaalaat Mutanawi`ah, vol. 8.|Translated by: Umm Sufyaan Fatimah]

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Question: Some patients visit me after having drunk intoxicants or taken drugs. This then results in them committing certain prohibited acts such as adultery and homosexuality. Should I inform [the authorities] of these patients or not?

Answer: Upon you is sincere advice; advise them and encourage them to repent. Conceal their sins[1] and do not take their affair further nor expose them; rather help them upon obedience to Allaah and His Messenger, and inform them that Allaah (may He be glorified) forgives the one who repents. Also, warn them from returning to these sins.

This is due to the saying of Allaah, may He be glorified:

{The believing men and the believing women are protectors of one another} [9:71] [2]

Also, the saying of Allaah:

{By Time, indeed all of Mankind is in loss. Except those who believe and do righteous deed, encourage each other upon the truth and encourage each other upon patience.} [103:1-3]

Also the saying of the Prophet (sal Allaahu alayhi wa sallam):

((The religion is sincerity.))[3]

As well as the saying of the Prophet (sal Allaahu alayhi wa sallam):

((Whoever hides [the sins] of a Muslim, Allaah will hide [his sins] in this world and the Hereafter.))[4]

Allaah is the One who grants guidance.

Majmoo' Fataawa Ibn Baz, [9/436, 437]

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Warn People Against Deviants

Question: Is it permissible to mention peoples names and characters when one wants to criticize them and their thinking?    Answer: If someone writes something that contradicts the pure Shari'ah, and distributes that material, or if he promulgates that view in the media, it becomes compulsory to refute him and expose the falsehood of what he says. There is nothing wrong in mentioning that person's name or in warning people about him if he calls to innovation, shirk, or if he calls people to what Allah has prohibited or to disobedience. Until this day, there are knowledgeable and believing people from the callers to the truth and bearers of the Shari ah fulfilling this obligation, sincerely for Allah Almighty and for the benefit of His servants, rebuking the wrong, inviting to the truth, warning others against those who propagate falsehood and destructive rhetoric. Shaykh 'Abdul-'Azeez Bin Baz   Fatawa Islamiyah Darussalam Vol 8 page no.53  

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The Importance of verifying information

I advise all of my brothers to verify whatever is spread by the people regarding the scholars and other than them. This is because many people broadcast regarding the scholars and students of knowledge that which has no basis. So if the believer does not verify these affairs that are spoken about, then the people will fall into error – and this is not considered as advising sincerely for the sake of the religion.

Indeed Allaah (the most Glorified) denounced the one who does not verify information and refer back to its people. He said:

{When there comes to them some news regarding safety or fear, they make it known (amongst the people), if only they had referred it to the Messenger or to those charged with authority among them, the proper investigators would have understood it from them (directly). Had it not been for the Grace and Mercy of Allaah upon you, you would have followed Shaytaan, except a few of you.} [04:83]

He also said:

{O you who believe, if a disobedient person comes to you with news, verify it, lest you harm people in ignorance, and afterwards you become regretful to what you have done.} [49:06]

The Prophet (sal Allaahu alayhi wa sallam) said:

((Whoever believes in Allaah and the Last Day should speak good or remain silent.))

He (sal Allaahu alayhi wa sallam) also said:

((It is sufficient for a person to be a liar that he narrates everything he hears.))

Each person is responsible for every statement and action; Allaah (the most Exalted) said:

{Not a word does he (or she) utter, but there is a watcher by him ready (to record it)} [50:18]

He also said:

{So, by your Lord (O Muhammad), We shall certainly call all of them to account for everything they used to do.} [15:92-93]

So beware O believer that Shaytaan makes you err and deceives you due to you not verifying such affairs and information. Due to this, you then fall into actions which lead to regrettable conclusions and you are apologetic when an apology is no longer of benefit.

You should know O my brother, that Shaytaan always strives to cause problems, hatred and jealousy between the believers. He strives to lead the believer into actions which decrease his good deeds, if he is unable to fall into innovations and sinning.

Allaah (the Glorified) said:

{Surely, Shaytaan is an enemy to you, so take him as an enemy. He only invites his followers that they may become the dwellers of the blazing Fire.} [35:06]

Shaykh Abdul-Azeez ibn Baaz

Majmoo’ al-Fataawa wal-maqaalaat 8/247

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Test or a Punishment?

Question: If a person is put to trial with a sickness or an evil affliction physically or with his wealth, how does he know that this trial is a test or Anger from Allaah? Answer:  Allaah Azza Wa Jal tests His slaves in prosperity and adversity, in hardship and ease. He sometimes tests them with these things to raise their grade and to enhance the status of those people and to double their good deeds. Like what Allaah did for the Prophets and Messengers - alayhim as-Salat wa Sallam, as well as the righteous people from the worshippers of Allaah. Like the Prophet - sallAllaahu alayhi wa sallam – said: 

the most severely of the people to be trialed are the Prophets, then those who are next in grade, then the next.

Sometimes Allaah does this due to the sins and transgression of the people, so that the punishment can be hurried. Like Allaah Subhanahu said:

{And whatever of misfortune befalls you, it is because of what your hands have earned. And He pardons much. }

So, what is general for humans is that they are deficient, and they do not observe all the obligatory duties. Therefore, what afflicts them is due to their sins and shortcomings with regard to Allaah's commands. For this reason, if someone from the righteous slaves of Allaah is afflicted with some disease or something similar, then this is from the type of trials for the Prophets and Messengers, raising of their grades and increase of reward, to be an example for others, in having patience and contentment. So briefly, it could be a test to raise grades and to make the reward greater, like Allaah does for some of the righteous people. It could be expiation for evil deeds, as is mentioned in the saying of Allaah Ta'ala:

{whosoever works evil, will have the recompense thereof }

Also the saying of the Prophet - sallAllaahu alayhi wa sallam –: 

A Muslim is not afflicted with distress, nor sorrow, nor disease nor hardship, nor sadness nor any harm except that Allaah expiates from his sins even by a thorn that pricks him.

The saying of the Prophet - sallAllaahu alayhi wa sallam – whom so ever Allaah intends good for, Allaah compels him with a trial. It could be that this is a punishment which has been hastened due to transgression by the slave and him not having hastened in repenting as is mentioned in the hadeeth of the Messenger - sallAllaahu alayhi wa sallam – that he said: 

'If Allaah intends good for His slave then He hastens his punishment in this world, and if Allaah prescribes evil for His slave, then Allaah holds back his sins until He recompenses them for him on the Day of Judgment.' [ Narrated by Tirmidhi & he declared it hasan]

[Sheikh ibn Baaz]

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Advice to Muslim Women

Allaah says:

“Then do not be soft in speech, lest he in whose heart there is a disease (of fornication) should be moved with desire. But rather speak in an honorable manner. And stay in your houses and do not openly display yourselves like that of the days of ignorance.” [Ahzaab: 32-33]

Shaykh Bin Baaz comments:

“In this ayah, Allaah forbids the wives of the noble Prophet, the Mothers of the Believers – who are from amongst the best and purest of women – from speaking softly to men, which means making the voice sound gentle and pleasant…

Allaah further commands the women to stay in their homes and forbids them from indecently exposing themselves as the women would do in the days of ignorance (jaahiliyyah)…

This is because of what is found in that form great mischief, overwhelming temptation and an incitement of male hearts towards embarking on the means of fornication.

So if it is the case that Allaah warned the Mothers of the Believers from these evil things, in spite of their uprightness, strong faith and pure nature, then this means that all women besides them take more precedence in this matter.

They are more deserving of being warned and forbidden, and they have more right that we fear for them the causes of fitnah.”

[Taken from "Four Essays On The Obligation Of Veiling". Chapter: "The Dangers Of Tabarruj (Immoral Exposure)", by Shaykh Bin Baaz, Pp. 11-12

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No living creature is there on the earth, but its provision is from Allaah

Question: Allaah Almighty says: And no living creature is there on earth but its provision is due from Allaah. [Hud 11:6] Here, Allaah Almighty imposed upon Himself the feeding of every living creature on earth, be it a person, creature or whatever it is. How do we explain droughts and famines that take place in the African Continent?

Answer: The verses meaning is clear; however, whatever Allaah Almighty decrees in terms of disaster or drought, then it may only hurt a person when his decreed time and provision have expired. But whoever still has life and provision written for him, Allaah Almighty directs that provision to him, in many ways - some of which a person may know and some of which he does not, for Allaah Almighty says: 

And whoever fears Allaah and keeps his duty to Him, He will make a way for him to get out (from every difficulty. And He will provide for him where he never could imagine. [At-Talaq 65:2,3]

And: 

And so many a living creature there is, that carries not its own provision! Allaah provides for it and for you. [Al-Ankabut 29:60]

And the Messenger of Allaah said. 

A person does not die until he takes his full share of provision and time. [Musnad Al-Bazzar no. 2914 and Ibn Majah no. 2144]

May Allaah guide us all to what is right.

Shaykh `Abdul-`Azeez Bin Baz 

Fatawa Islamiyah Vol. 7 Page 109

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Two Rewards

Question: A relative of mine loves to read the Quran only he is not good at Arabic grammar and rules of recitation; what should he do?

Answer: He should strive to read correctly, to understand what he is reading, and not be hasty. He should learn to recite from someone who knows better than him. By working hard, he gains a great reward, for the Prophet said, 

The best of you is he who learns the Quran and teaches it. [Al-Bukhari no. 5027]

And he said, 

The person who is proficient in the Quran is with the honourable, pious and just scribes (in heaven). As for the person who reads the Quran, though it is difficult for him and though he stutters, he has two rewards.

[Al-Bukhari no. 4937 and Muslim no. 798]

Shaykh `Abdul-`Azeez Bin Baz 

Fatawa Islamiyah Vol. 7 Page 75

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Having wedding parties in hotels

Question: What is your opinion about the parties that are held in hotels?

Response: The parties that are held in hotels have many things wrong about them and may be criticised for many reasons.

First, they are usually done extravagantly and beyond what is needed;

Second, this leads to the extra financial burden of having wedding parties in hotels and the presence of people for whom there is no need;

Third, it may lead to mixing between the men and women of the hotel and others. This mixing is a disgraceful evil.

This is why the leading scholars issued a decree and gave it to the King advising him not to allow parties and wedding parties to be held in hotels. Instead, they said, the wedding parties should be held in the houses and hotels should not be hired, as such wedding parties lead to lots of evil. Similar is the case with the halls that are rented for a great deal of money. This advice was all concluded out of concern for the people, economic considerations, avoiding of extravagance and luxury. Also, this will allow those who are of the middle class to be able to afford to get married and will not be a great burden upon them. If they see their cousin or relative getting married in an expensive hotel party, he must compete with him or do something similar. This will drive him to borrow money. Otherwise, he may have to delay his marriage out of fear of such heavy expenses.

My advice to all Muslim brethren is that they should not hold their wedding parties in such hotels nor in the expensive halls that are rented for that purpose. They should hold them in inexpensive halls or not hold them in the halls at all. To hold them in the houses is preferred anyway. Or one could hold them in his relatives' house if that is possible.

Shaykh Ibn Baaz Fataawa al-Mar.ah

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How Does One Behave Toward a Relative Who Does Not Pray?

Question: I have a brother-in-law who rarely prays. I live with my husband’s family and [ the female members of] his family sit with him even if the Imam is praying. What should I do? I am not one of his relatives (mahram). Is there any sin upon me since I do not have the ability to advise him?

Answer: If he does not pray, then he is deserving to be boycotted. You should not greet him nor should you respond to his greeting, until he repents. This is because not praying is a greater form of kufr[that takes one out of the fold of Islam]. This is true even if a person does not deny that it is obligatory. This is according to the most correct opinion among the scholars. The Prophet (sallallaahu ‘alaihi-wasallam) said,

“The covenant that is between us and them [the disbelievers] is the prayer. Whoever abandons it has committed blasphemy.” This was recorded by Ahmed and the compilers of the Sunan with a sound chain.

The Prophet (sallallaahu ‘alaihi-wasallam) said,

“Between a man and disbelief and polytheism is the abandoning of the prayer.” This is recorded by Imam Muslim in his sahih.

However, if a person denies the obligation of the prayers, then he is a disbeliever according to the consensus of the scholars.

Therefore, it is obligatory upon his family to advise him and to boycott him if he does not repent. It is obligatory to take his matter to the ruler for him to be asked to repent. If he repents,[that is accepted from him]. If he does not repent, he is to be killed. This is because Allah has said in the Qur’an,

“But if they repent and offer prayer perfectly and give zakat, then leave their way free.” (at-Tauba: 5)

Also, the Prophet (sallallaahu ‘alaihi-wasallam) said,

“I have been prohibited from killing those who pray.” [1]

These evidences show that one who does not pray is not to have his “way left free” and there is no prohibition against killing him if he is taken to the authorities and he does not repent. And Allah is the One who provides guidance.

Shaykh `Abdul-`Azeez Bin Baz Islamic Fatawa Regarding Women - Darussalam Pg.34-36

[1]. Recorded by Abu Dawud. Some of the narrators in the chain are unknown. However, due to supporting evidence, al-Albani has called this hadith sahih. See Muhammed Nasir al-Din al-Albani,Sahih Sunan Abu Dawud (Riyadh: Maktaba al-Tarbiyah al-Arabi li-Daul al-Khaleej,1989), vol. 3 p. 931. He discusses it in some detail, although without mentioning that it is recorded by Abu Dawud, in Muhammed Nasir al-Din al-Albani,Silsilat al-Ahadith al-Sahiha (Riyadh: Maktaba al-Maarif,1991), Vol. 5, p. 493

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Conditions and Meaning of the Shahada

La Illaaha il'Allah

It's meaning - There is none who has the right to be worshipped except Allaah.

Its pillars are:

The negation phrase “ there is no deity worthy of worship (Laa Ilaaha)

The confirmation phrase “ except Allaah (IllaaAllaah)

The phrase: "there is no deity worthy of worship" negates all other false objects of worship while the phrase "except Allaah" confirms that there is only one true God worthy of worship who has no partners. The conditions of the Shahaadah (testimony of Faith) are eight:

1. `Ilm (Knowledge): Knowledge of it's meaning - what is confirmed by it and what is negated by it. As previously stated it was mentioned that the meaning of: "There is none that has the right to be worshipped except Allaah" is that all other objects of worship that mankind set up as partners with Allaah are false.

2. Yaqeen (Certainty): Certainty of it's meaning, free from doubt or suspicion. This means on must be upon certainty that none has the right to be worshipped except Allaah.

3. Al-Ikhlaas (Sincerity): This means the sincerity the servant has towards only his Lord, in all acts of worship. For example, if anyone deviates from this sincerity to Allaah and directs it toward a Prophet, a walee, an idol, a king, the jinn or any other false object of worship, than certainly he is guilty of committing shirk (polytheism) and has contradicted this condition of the Shahaadah (testimony of Faith), which is Sincerity.

4. As-Sidq (Truthfulness): It's meaning is to speak the truth in order to remove any traces of hypocrisy. This is the meaning of Sidq. It also means to observe truthfulness with the tongue as well as the heart. If sidq is only observed by the tongue and not by the heart, then this condition of sidq (truthfulness) has not been met.

5. Al-Mahabbah (Love): It's meaning is to love Allaah. The declaration of the Shahaadah requires that the person loves Allaah. If someone declares his faith but does not love Allaah then he's at a stage of kufr, where he doesn't enter into Islam, as was the way of the hypocrites. The proof for this is in the saying of Allaah:  

"Say (O Muhammad, to mankind) if you really love Allaah then follow me. Allaah will love you and forgive you of your sins. And Allaah is oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful." [Surah Aali `Imran: 31]

6. Al-Inqiyaad (Compliance): One must comply with the obligations of the Shahaadah. This means to carry out all the obligatory duties with faith and certainty that these obligations are the rights your Lord has over you. If one fails to worship Allaah and to adhere to his Legislation, showing arrogance and animosity towards it, then he is not from the believers, as was the case with Iblees (the Devil) and others of his nature.

7. Al-Qubool (Acceptance): One must accept the Shahaadah and its meaning. This means accepting all its conditions with sincerity and worshipping only Allaah. It also entails leaving off that which is worshipped besides Allaah as equals, whilst being firm on this and pleased with it.

8. Rejection of anything worshipped besides Allaah: The meaning of this condition is that one must stay clear of and distance himself from all acts of worship other than the worship of Allaah. And he must recognize, with certainty that all acts of worship, which are not done solely for Allaah, are false and to be rejected.

Allaah says in the Qur'aan:

"Whoever disbelieves in the Taghoot (false deities and systems) and believes in Allaah, then he has grasped the most trustworthy handhold that will never break. And Allaah is the All=Seeing, All-Knowing." [Surah Al-Baqarah: 256] 

['Abdul-'Azeez bin Baaz; Majmoo' al-Fataawaa [vol. 1, pg. 231]]

Translator: Muhammad Islam