Madrasatuna || مدرستنا

​The Legislated Method: It is perfectly permissible—and encouraged—for an individual to strive in Du'a, Dhikr, seeking forgiveness, and performing righteous deeds on the Day of Arafah, whether in their home or at the masjid. ​The virtue of the day applies to those at Arafat and those elsewhere, so one should combine the virtue of fasting with individual supplication, provided they avoid intentionally imitating the pilgrims' gathering and standing at 'Arafah. Source: https://t.me/tullabilm26/284

An English Summary of The Treatise "الإبهاج بحكم التعريف لغير الحاج" Written By Sheikh Salman Al-'Imad hafidhahullah ​1. Definition of Ta'reef ​Ta'reef (التعريف) refers to the practice where people gather in their cities after the 'Asr prayer on the Day of Arafah to engage in supplication (Du'a), remembrance (Dhikr), and earnest pleading to Allah until sunset, thereby imitating what the pilgrims do at Arafat. ​2. Categorisation of Ta'reef ​The Sheikh categorises this practice into four distinct types, each with its own ruling: ​Type 1: Travelling (شد الرحال) to specific masjids for this gathering. This is classified as an evil act (Munkar) without dispute among the scholars, as it violates the Prophet's ﷺ command prohibiting travel specifically for worship except to the three holy masjids. ​Type 2: Travelling to graves or shrines for this gathering. This is universally condemned as Shirk (polytheism) and Munkar, and Shaykh Al-Islam Ibn Taymiyyah likened travelling to such places for Ta'reef to consuming pork. ​Type 3: Gathering in local masjids without travelling. This is the specific practice known as "التعريف في الأمصار" (Ta'reef in the cities) and is the main subject of scholarly dispute. ​Type 4: Individual exertion. This involves a person striving individually in Du'a and Dhikr in their home or local masjid without intentionally gathering or imitating the physical standing of the pilgrims. ​3. Detailed Discussion on Type 3 (Gathering in Local Masjids) ​The Sheikh presents the differing views of the Salaf and the A'immah regarding deliberately gathering in local masjids on the evening of Arafah: ​A. The View of Permissibility/Tolerance: ​It is often cited that this was initiated by Ibn Abbas in Basra and 'Amr ibn Huraith in Kufa. ​Verification of the Athar: The Sheikh points out that the narration regarding Ibn Abbas—transmitted via Al-Hasan Al-Basri—has a Sahih chain up to Al-Hasan. Still, it is disconnected (Munqati'). Imam Ali ibn Al-Madini and Abu Hatim affirmed that Al-Hasan never heard from Ibn Abbas, nor did he ever see him; therefore, this action is not authentically established from Ibn Abbas. ​The action is authentically established from 'Amr bin Huraith, though the Sheikh notes that it is not explicitly definitive on the issue. ​Imam Ahmad ibn Hanbal was asked about it and said, "I hope there is no harm in it," but he also explicitly stated, "I have never done it myself". ​B. The View of Dislike and Prohibition (Bid'ah): ​This practice was disliked by scholars of Kufa and Madinah, including Ibrahim An-Nakha'i, Abu Hanifa, and Malik. ​Several Salaf, such as Abu Wa'il, Ibn 'Awn, and Muhammad ibn Sirin, would treat the evening of Arafah like any other day, sitting in their homes and conversing normally to avoid this innovation. ​When Al-Hakam and Hammad were asked about gathering on the evening of Arafah, they explicitly called it an innovation (Muhdath). ​Imam Malik strictly forbade it, stating that it is not from the affairs of the people and that "the keys to these things are from innovations". He preferred that a man stay in his house and only go to the masjid when it was time for the obligatory prayer. ​At-Tartushi explained the wisdom behind this prohibition: While the Imams knew the virtue of making Du'a on Arafah, they understood that the physical gathering was restricted to the location of Arafat. He noted the severe consequences of this innovation, mentioning that people in Jerusalem would gather at Al-Aqsa, treating it like Arafat, to the point that some claimed that doing this four times equated to performing Hajj, thereby attempting to drop the obligation of Hajj entirely. ​ Shaykh Muhammad ibn Ibrahim Aal-Sheikh and Shaykh Yahya Al-Hajuri, consider it a Bid'ah (innovation). ​4. The Conclusion and the Legislated Alternative (Type 4) ​The Sheikh concludes that purposefully intending to stay in the masjid and dedicating that time to imitate the standing of the pilgrims has no legislated proof and is strongly considered a Bid'ah.

Dhul-Hijjah Benefit #11 Specific Names for Some of the Days of Dhul-Ḥijjah The 8th of Dhul-Ḥijjah = Yawm At-Tarwiyah The day of drawing water; it is called this because in the past, pilgrims would draw water in Makkah before departing to Minā. The 9th of Dhul-Ḥijjah = Yawm ‘Arafah The Day of ‘Arafah; it is called this because on this day pilgrims go to the plains of ‘Arafah. The 10th of Dhul-Ḥijjah = Yawm An-Nahr The Day of Sacrifice; it is called this because the slaughtering of the hady and udhiyah begins on this day. It is also called Yawm al-Ḥajj Al-Akbar. The Day of the Greater Ḥajj, because many of the rites of Ḥajj are performed on this day. Note: This is the best day of the year, based on the saying of the Prophet ﷺ: «إن أعظم الأيام عند الله تبارك وتعالى: يومُ النحر، ثم يومُ القَرِّ» “The greatest days in the sight of Allah, the Blessed and Exalted, are the Day of Sacrifice (Yawm An-Nahr), then the Day of Settling (Yawm Al-Qarr).” [Reported by Abū Dāwūd (1765) from Abdullah ibn Qurt رضي الله عنه; authenticated by Shaykh Muqbil in As-Saheeh Al-Musnad] The 11th of Dhul-Ḥijjah = Yawm Al-Qarr The Day of Settling; it is called this because the pilgrims remain in Minā on this day, staying there without departing. This is the first day of the Days of Tashrīq. Note: This is the second best day of the year after Yawm An-Nahr, based on the hadith mentioned above. The 12th of Dhul-Ḥijjah = Yawm An-Nafr Al-Awwal The First Day of Departure; it is called this because it is permissible for pilgrims to leave Minā on this day. It is also called Yawm Ar-Ru’ūs (the Day of Heads), because they used to eat the heads of the sacrificial animals on this day. The Last Day of Tashrīq: 13th of Dhul-Ḥijjah It is called Yawm An-Nafr Ath-Thānī (or Al-Ākhir) because the remaining pilgrims depart from Minā, leaving no one behind. With the sunset of this day: 1. The time for offering the sacrifice (udhiyah) ends. 2. The time for stoning the Jamarāt ends. 3. The time for saying the Takbīrāt ends. 4. The days of ‘Eid for come to an end. 5. The “counted days” (al-ayyām al-ma‘dūdāt) come to an end. Benefitted from Sheikh Abdullah Al-Iryani hafidhahullah https://t.me/madrasatunaa/274

Dhul-Hijjah Benefit #10 Saying Takbīr after the Obligatory Prayers (At-Takbeer Al-Muqayyad) It has been established in the Muṣannaf of Ibn Abi Shaybah, Al-Awsaṭ of Ibn Al-Mundhir, Sunan Al-Kubrā of Al-Bayhaqi, Faḍl Al-‘Ashr by At-Tabarani, and other sources, that the Salaf would recite the Takbīr after the prayers beginning from Fajr on the Day of ‘Arafah until after ‘Aṣr on the third day of Tashrīq (13th of Dhul Ḥijjah). This practice of reciting Takbīr after the prayers has been authentically reported from five of the Companions: 1. Abdullah ibn Abbas 2. Abdullah ibn Masud 3. Ali ibn Abi Talib 4. Abdullah ibn Umar 5. Salman Al-Farsi — may Allah be pleased with them all. It has also been authentically reported from Umar ibn Abdil-Aziz, Ibrahim An-Nakhai, and others — may Allah have mercy upon them all. Benefitted from Shaykh Wahb Adh-Dhayfāni rahimahullah https://t.me/madrasatunaa/273

Dhul-Hijjah Benefit #9 A Day that Cannot be Compensated! Imam An-nawawi rahimahullah said: فهذا اليوم أفضل أيام السنة للدعاء؛ فينبغي أن يستفرغ الإنسان وسعه في الذكر والدعاء وفي قراءة القرآن، وأن يدعو بأنواع الأدعية، ويأتي بأنواع الأذكار، ويدعو لنفسه ووالديه وأقاربه ومشايخه وأصحابه وأصدقائه وأحبابه وسائر مَن أحسن إليه وجميع المسلمين؛ وليحذر كل الحذر من التقصير في ذلك كله؛ فإن هذا اليوم لا يمكن تداركه. “This is the best day of the year to make du‘a, so a person should strive in making dhikr, du‘a, and reciting the Qur’an, while alternating between the different types of supplications and remembrance. He should pray for himself, his parents, teachers, companions, friends, loved ones, everyone who has shown him kindness, and the rest of the Muslims. And let a person beware of falling short in this, for indeed this day cannot be compensated.” [Kitab Al-Adhkar 342] https://t.me/madrasatunaa/272

Dhul-Hijjah Benefit #8 Can Good Deeds Expiate Major Sins? There are three main opinions on this issue: 1️⃣ Good deeds only expiate minor sins. As for major sins, they are only expiated through sincere repentance. This is the view of the majority of scholars. 2️⃣ Good deeds expiate all sins, both minor and major. This is the view of Ibn al-Mundhir, Ibn Hazm, and others. 3️⃣ Good deeds can expiate major sins if they are accompanied by a high level of sincerity. This is the view of Shaykh Al-Islam Ibn Taymiyyah, Ibn Wl-Qayyim, and Ibn Hajar. While explaining the statement of the Prophet ﷺ that fasting on the Day of ‘Arafah expiates two years’ worth of sins [reported by Muslim on the authority of Abu Qatadah], in one of his Bulugh Al-Maram classes, Shaykh Abu Bilal hafidhahullah discussed this issue. He — may Allah preserve him — concluded that the third opinion (the view of Shaykh Al-Islam Ibn Taymiyyah, Ibn Al-Qayyim, and Ibn Hajar) is the strongest of the three, based on the following hadith: On the authority of Abu Hurairah (may Allah be pleased with him), the Prophet ﷺ said: ((أن امرأة بغياً رأت كلباً في يوم حار يطيف ببئر، قد أدلع لسانه من العطش، فنزعت له بموقها فغفر لها)) “A prostitute saw a dog circling around a well on a hot day, hanging out its tongue from thirst. She drew water for it using her shoe, and because of that, she was forgiven.” [Reported by al-Bukhari and Muslim] Point of Evidence: Ibn Al-Qayyim rahimahullah said: “This was due to what took place in the prostitute’s heart when she saw that dog suffering from intense thirst. She had no equipment, no helper, and no one around to witness her deed. Yet she was moved to climb down into the well, risking her own safety, fill her leather sock (khuff) with water, and hold it in her mouth while climbing back out. Then she humbled herself before this creature — which people usually mistreat — by holding the water for it to drink from, seeking neither reward nor praise from anyone. So the radiance of this sincere tawhid burned away the sin of prostitution.” [Madarij As-Salikin (1/332)] Similarly, Shaykh Al-Islam rahimahullah said: “It should not be said that every prostitute who gives water to a dog will be forgiven. Rather, this particular woman possessed such devotion, sincerity, and mercy toward Allah’s creation that it outweighed the sin of prostitution and even more, which is why she was forgiven. Forgiveness occurs according to what exists in the heart of iman, the true reality of which is known only to Allah. This opens the door to good deeds and encourages the servant to perform them and similar acts, all while maintaining a balance between fear and hope.” [Mukhtasar Al-Fatawa Al-Misriyyah, p. 261] He also said: “Likewise is the case of the man who removed a thorny branch from the road and was forgiven because of it. Deeds vary in virtue according to what exists in the heart of iman and sincerity. This is why two men may stand in the same prayer row, yet the difference in reward between them is like the distance between the heavens and the earth.” [Minhaj al-Sunnah (6/135)] He also said: “It is not the case that every good deed wipes away every sin. Rather, expiation may apply to minor sins at times and major sins at other times, depending on the balance. A person may perform a deed with such complete sincerity and servitude that even major sins are forgiven.” [Minhaj al-Sunnah (6/136)] https://t.me/madrasatunaa/271

Dhul-Hijjah Benefit #7 Fasting The Day of 'Arafah Scholars explain the expiation of “the coming year’s sins” in one of three ways: 1⃣. Protection and preservation: Allah protects and guards you from falling into sins and mistakes during that year. 2⃣. Forgiveness of future minor sins: Allah forgives the minor sins that you may fall into during that year before they even occur, so that your record remains clean and pure. 3⃣. An increase in rewards and ranks: If there are no sins to forgive, then the reward of this great deed is not lost. Rather, it becomes a means of increasing your good deeds and raising your status in Paradise. Someone might ask: If wudu wipes away sins, then what does the prayer wipe away? And if the prayers wipe away sins, then what do Jumuʿah prayers and Ramadan wipe away? Likewise, fasting the Day of ʿArafah expiates two years of sins, and fasting ʿAshura expiates one year. And if a person’s ‘Ameen’ matches the ‘Ameen’ of the angels, his previous sins are forgiven. An-Nawawi said in Al-Majmuʿ (6/432): “Each of these acts of worship is suitable for expiating sins. So if a person has minor sins, they erase them. If a person has neither minor nor major sins, then good deeds are recorded for him and his ranks are raised because of them. This is like the prayers, fasting, wudu, and other acts of worship of the Prophets, the righteous, and children. And if a person has major sins, but no minor sins, then we hope that these deeds will lighten the burden of those major sins. Abu Bakr Al-Ishraf said at the end of the Book of Iʿtikaf, in the chapter about seeking Laylat Al-Qadr, regarding the Prophet’s ﷺ statement: ‘Whoever stands in prayer on Laylat Al-Qadr with faith and hoping for reward will have his previous sins forgiven.’ He said: This is a general statement. We hope that whoever stands in prayer on that night with faith and sincerity will have all his sins forgiven — both minor and major.” [end quote] Also, fasting only removes sins if Allah accepts the fast, and the same is true for prayer. It is authentically reported that a person may finish their prayer and only half of it is accepted, while another person may finish their prayer and nothing is accepted from it at all. This is because deeds are not judged only by how they look on the outside or by how many deeds a person does. What truly matters is what is in the heart — such as sincerity to Allah, following the Sunnah, and having a heart focused on worship. So a deed may not be accepted fully. Maybe only part of it is accepted, or even just a small amount. That accepted part wipes away a matching amount of sins. So fasting removes some sins, prayer removes some sins, fasting ʿArafah removes some sins, and fasting ʿAshura removes some sins. So what about the person who keeps falling into sins, is careless, distracted in prayer, neglects parts of the obligatory acts, and leaves the recommended acts? And what if they also do things that weaken or cancel out good deeds? This shows us how important it is to take advantage of blessed times and to make our deeds sincere and correct so that Allah accepts them. Only then will those deeds truly wipe away sins. https://t.me/madrasatunaa/270

{قُلۡ نَارُ جَهَنَّمَ أَشَدُّ حَرࣰّاۚ لَّوۡ كَانُوا۟ یَفۡقَهُونَ} "Say, ‘Hellfire is hotter.’ If only they understood!" [Surah At-Tawbah: 81] This heat we’re experiencing should serve as a small reminder of the heat of Hellfire. Abu Hurairah (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: «“The Fire complained to its Lord, saying: ‘O Lord, parts of me have consumed other parts.’ So Allah allowed it two breaths: one breath in the winter and one breath in the summer. This is why you experience the most intense heat and the most severe cold.” — [Bukhari & Muslim]» If we are struggling with this heat — and temperatures haven’t even reached 40°C — then how can we not fear the heat of Jahannam? May Allah protect us from the Fire and keep us far away from the sins that lead to it. https://t.me/madrasatunaa/269

DEADLINE⏳ Whoever wishes to send money for Udhiyah must do so before 12pm (GMT) tomorrow [9th of Dhul Hijjah]. Any payments received after 12pm (GMT) will be donated towards the Masjid Tawhid construction project in Kenya, Moyale. All animals will be slaughtered on the day of Eid, with distribution taking place afterwards inshaAllah. Please refrain from cutting your nails or hair until you are notified that the slaughter has been completed.

Dhul-Hijjah Benefit #6 Did the Prophet ﷺ Perform Hajj Before Islam? During our reading of Al-Fiqhul Muyassar, the authors mentioned (p. 172): "النبي ﷺ لم يحج بعد هجرته إلى المدينة إلا حجة واحدة" “The Prophet ﷺ performed Hajj only once after his migration to Madinah.” From this statement, we can derive two benefits: Benefit 1⃣. Based on the مَنْطُوق (direct/literal understanding) The Prophet ﷺ performed Hajj only once after his migration to Madinah. In Zad Al-Ma'ad, Ibn al-Qayyim mentions: "لا خلاف أنه ﷺ لم يحج بعد هجرته إلا حجة واحدة وهي حجة الوداع سنة عشر" “There is no disagreement that he ﷺ did not perform Hajj after his migration except once, and that was the Farewell Pilgrimage in the tenth year (AH).” Benefit 2⃣. Based on the مَفْهُوم (contrary/reverse understanding) The Prophet ﷺ performed Hajj before migrating to Madinah. The evidence for this is the narration of Jubair ibn Mut‘im, who said: “Before Islam, I was searching for my camel. It was lost, so I went out looking for it on the Day of ‘Arafah, and I saw the Prophet ﷺ standing at ‘Arafah. I said to myself: ‘By Allah, he is from the Hums! What has brought him here?’” [Bukhari & Muslim] Note: “Hums” refers to extreme religiosity. Quraysh were known by this title because, during Hajj, they would not leave the Haram (the sacred sanctuary) to go to ‘Arafah. This is why Jubair ibn Mut‘im was surprised to see the Prophet ﷺ — who belonged to Quraysh — standing at ‘Arafah. Source: https://t.me/madrasatunaa/259

Dhul-Hijjah Benefit #5 Assisting Poor Muslims is Better Than Voluntary Hajj Abdullah ibn Al-Mubarak once set out on a journey for Hajj. Along the way, he saw a woman searching through a garbage heap and taking a dead animal from it. He asked her why she was doing that. She replied, “My sister and I have nothing at all to live on. Because of our severe poverty, this has become lawful for us.” He then asked his companion, “How much money do we have for the journey?” The man answered, “One thousand dinars.” Abdullah said, “Keep twenty dinars for our return, and give her everything else. Helping her is better than performing Hajj this year.” [Al-Bidayah wa An-Nihayah of Ibn Kathir] Credit: Sheikh Salih Ar-Rada'ee https://t.me/madrasatunaa/258

Is it Valid to Do Udhiyah Overseas?

A sister asked:

I heard that it is invalid to perform the Udhiyah overseas, and that if it is done there, it only counts as a general act of charity. Is this true?

Answer:

There is no doubt that the Sunnah is to slaughter the Udhiyah in one’s own country, and this contains many benefits: [https://t.me/khawaaaaatir/292] However, to say that performing it overseas renders the Udhiyah invalid is not correct. If scholars have stated that it is permissible to appoint someone to perform the sacrifice on your behalf when you are unable to do it yourself, then why could that appointed person not be overseas? [https://t.me/khawaaaaatir/291] The Kuwaiti Encyclopedia of Islamic Jurisprudence states:

“Scholars agreed that it is allowed to have someone else slaughter your udhiyah on your behalf, as long as that person is Muslim. Still, it is better for a person to do the slaughter themselves unless there is a valid reason not to. Most scholars also said the sacrifice is valid, though disliked, if it is slaughtered by a Jew or Christian, since their slaughter is considered permissible.”

This is especially relevant when you consider that, in many places in the West, individuals are not permitted to slaughter animals themselves, and that many slaughterhouses engage in questionable practices, such as stunning animals before slaughter. Yes, by performing it overseas, you may miss out on certain Sunnahs, such as witnessing the slaughter and eating from the meat. However, you may also attain other important Sunnahs, such as ensuring that the animal is slaughtered correctly according to the Sharīʿah and providing meat to the poor and needy. In any case, these matters are from the Sunnahs of the Udhiyah, and missing out on some of them does not render the Udhiyah invalid. [https://t.me/khawaaaaatir/293] This issue is very similar to the ruling on sending Zakat Al-Fitr overseas. Refer to Sheikh Abu Ammar Yasir Ad-Duba'ee’s answer to Question 33: [https://t.me/madrasatunaa/222]

Transgenderism in Islam ⤵️ https://t.me/womensbenefits/1686

Alhamdulillah, someone has taken up this opportunity. May Allah reward & bless them. If any further opportunities arise, I’ll share an update inshaAllah.

Sadaqah Jariyah Opportunity For some time, a number of family members have been asking me to help arrange a well project as sadaqah jariyah for themselves or loved ones who have passed away. I reached out to contacts in Yemen, Somalia, and Kenya, but the quotes I received were in the region of £10,000 or more. Although the well itself was relatively inexpensive, I was informed that purchasing the land was also required, which significantly increased the overall cost. Recently, I was introduced to a trustworthy brother in Tanzania, and by the grace of Allah we were able to complete this well project for approximately £1,100. The land for the well has been donated as waqf, and pipes will extend to a communal tank so the wider community can benefit from it, inshaAllah. May Allah accept it from everyone involved. A similar opportunity is now available for anyone who would like to take part. For more information: +447956114844

More on Moyale Moyale is a major border town between Kenya and Ethiopia, home to diverse Cushitic-speaking communities such as the Borana, Garre, Gabra, Burji, and Somali peoples. Islam is the dominant religion in the region, especially among the Borana and Garre communities. In recent years, Salafiyyah in Moyale has been growing steadily, with students returning from overseas to benefit their communities through regular classes, khutbah and community work. Currently, the Salafi community has two masjids where regular lessons, khutbahs, and lectures are held: Masjid Al-Hidayah and Masjid At-Tawhid (as seen in the video). May Allah grant them tawfeeq and increase them in goodness. Beneficial channels in Borana: https://t.me/TasjiilaatulHidaayah/2239 https://t.me/abuu_saad_suleyman