Allama Sheikh Nidal al-Hanafi

Question (210): Is it permissible for a woman to travel with her deceased husband's son from his other wife? Answer (210): In fact, that child is considered a permanent mahram for the father's wife. However, given that the era we live in is filled with fitnah, it is more fitting for the woman to travel accompanied by closer mahrams, such as her own father, brother, or biological son. Allama Sheikh Nidal al-Hanafi

Question (209): Imam Qadikhan's fatwa book notes that a husband may strike his wife for abandoning prayer. On the other hand, Imam Muhammad states that a woman cannot be struck for not praying or not performing ghusl. Which of these opinions is mu'tamad (authoritative)? Answer (209): The mu'tamad opinion is that a man may strike a woman for the reasons stated. Allama Sheikh Nidal al-Hanafi Note: This is not referring to severe striking (causing physical injury).

The grave shape the Sheikh indicated is this, which is the form considered in accordance with the Sunnah in the Hanafi madhhab.

Question (208): Is it ja'iz to enclose a grave with brick and cement, as shown in the picture? Answer (208): If this is done for the protection and identification of the grave, there is no problem in it. However, according to the Hanafi madhhab, what is Sunnah is not making it square/rectangular (التربيع) as in the picture, but rather making the top of the grave raised/humped (التسنيم). Allama Sheikh Nidal al-Hanafi

Question (207): In places where there are many graves, is it permissible to write the deceased's name on the grave for identification purposes? Answer (207): It is permissible. Allama Sheikh Nidal al-Hanafi

Question (206): Is it permissible to raise a grave above ground level? Is there a specific height in Sharia? Answer (206): A grave is raised by the amount of soil that was excavated from it. Allama Sheikh Nidal al-Hanafi

Question (205): Is there any indication in the hadiths regarding the virtue of Imam al-Maturidi? Answer (205): The glad tidings regarding Imam al-Huda Abu Mansur al-Maturidi (may Allah have mercy on him) have come by way of "indication and allusion" (isharah wa talwih) in the hadiths. The following hadith of the Messenger of Allah ﷺ points to this: "Constantinople (Istanbul) will certainly be conquered. What an excellent commander is the one who conquers it, and what an excellent army is that army!" (Imam al-Hakim, "al-Mustadrak"). It is known that the person who conquered Istanbul, Sultan Muhammad the Conqueror, was a commander who, in creed, belonged to the Maturidi school and had a Sufi disposition. That very army praised in the hadith brought together both Ash'aris and Maturidis within it. Allama Sheikh Nidal al-Hanafi

Question (204): Is it permissible to plant an evergreen plant on a grave? Answer (204): It is permissible. Allama Sheikh Nidal al-Hanafi

Question (203): Is a talaq (divorce) given by someone possessed by a jinn valid? Answer (203): If he understands what he is saying, the talaq is valid. Allama Sheikh Nidal al-Hanafi

Question (202): Is it permissible for a person in ihram to sleep in this kind of bedding, which has sewn sides? Answer (202): Since it resembles sewn clothing, it cannot be worn/used. Allama Sheikh Nidal al-Hanafi

Question (201): Is it ja'iz to recite the evening dhikrs after Maghrib prayer, and until when does the time for these dhikrs last? Answer (201): There is no problem in reciting the evening dhikrs following Maghrib prayer. The time for reciting these dhikrs continues until Fajr. Allama Sheikh Nidal al-Hanafi

Question (200): Is it permissible to pray behind an imam who performs masah (wiping) on modern socks? Answer (200): Praying behind such an imam is not sahih. The prayers performed behind him must be made up (qaḍa'). Allama Sheikh Nidal al-Hanafi

Question (199): A Muslim sister writes to say that her husband frequently beats and insults her. Is this kind of behavior permissible from a Sharia perspective? On the other hand, this sister endures her husband's actions and does not ask him for divorce. Is she rewarded for the patience she shows? Answer (199): A husband treating his wife this way is absolutely not permitted in Sharia and is haram. As for the patience the wife shows in the face of this oppression, without doubt, she earns reward in the sight of Allah the Almighty for this sacrifice. Allama Sheikh Nidal al-Hanafi

Question (198): What is the ruling on men clapping in gatherings, assemblies, or to greet (show appreciation for) a person giving a speech? Answer (198): Clapping (applauding) by men is not permissible. The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said regarding this: "Clapping is for women." (Narrated by Imam al-Bukhari and Imam Muslim). Note: In Imam Muslim's narration, the addition "في الصلاة" (during prayer) is present.

Question (197): Is Laylat al-Qadr exclusive to the ummah of Muhammad Mustafa ﷺ, or did this night also exist for other nations (ummahs)? Answer (197): According to the majority (jumhur) opinion of scholars, this blessed night is a special favor bestowed specifically upon the ummah of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ. Some scholars have even noted that there is ijma (consensus) on this matter. Allama Sheikh Nidal al-Hanafi

Question (196): According to the Hanafi madhhab, is it possible to perform Umrah on behalf of a living person and gift the resulting reward (thawab) to them? Answer (196): According to Hanafi jurists, performing this good deed is permissible. A believer can gift the reward of a righteous deed they perform to another person. Allama Sheikh Nidal al-Hanafi

Question (195): Is it ja'iz from a Sharia perspective to draw a depiction of a living being like the example presented, and to engrave/carve it? Answer (195): Depicting an animal in a full and complete form, as well as engraving/carving it, is not considered ja'iz. Allama Sheikh Nidal al-Hanafi

Question (194): Respected Sheikh! We are a group of women who wish to transition to niqab, and we are addressing this question on behalf of all of us. The answer to our question carries vital importance for us. Let us admit that when we first heard your fatwa that "a woman must fully cover her face in front of non-mahram men," it felt somewhat heavy to us. Because until now, we had heard opinions to the contrary from Turkish teachers. However, recently, while reading the Hajj section of "Nur al-Idah" together with several sisters, we were astonished. Subhanallah! It is noted there that even according to the Hanafi madhhab, women must cover their faces even in ihram (provided the covering does not touch the face). After researching this matter as much as we were able, we learned that there are scholars who consider covering the face wajib even during Hajj. This truth affected us very deeply. Now each of us desires to cover our faces. However, we have one difficulty: until we get used to this new state, we would like our eyes to remain uncovered. We know that in reality the face should be fully covered, and that leaving the eyes uncovered could cause a certain fitnah. But covering fully currently feels psychologically heavy for us. Our question is this: Is it better to wear niqab with our eyes left uncovered, or to leave the face completely uncovered? Your answer is very important to us. May Allah be pleased with you! Answer (194): May our Exalted Allah protect these daughters of ours and make them steadfast in their religion. These sincere words affected me deeply; it is gratifying that in this era, the number of such pure-minded and sincere girls of ours is considerable. As for the answer to your question: Without doubt, wearing niqab (even with the eyes left uncovered) is far superior to leaving the face completely uncovered. Begin acting on this step. Insha'Allah, in time your heart will also become accustomed to full covering, and you will attain this exalted station as well. May Allah grant you steadfastness and strength of will. Allama Sheikh Nidal al-Hanafi

Question (193): I have a shirt with an (animal) image like this on it. Do I need to completely stop wearing it, or can I wear it after removing the head part of the animal image? Answer (193): Provided you separate the animal's head image from its body (or erase and remove the head part), there is no problem in wearing that shirt. Allama Sheikh Nidal al-Hanafi