QUESTIONS ASKED AND ANSWERED
Question : Where can I learn to read the Quran ?
I assume you are writing from Singapore.
In Singapore, there are many centres that provide Quranic reading facilities.
There are those that provide weekly classes on a specific day and time and also those providing according to your convenience.The prices of the services also differs on the services provided. There are those that charge $ 35 - $ 45 per month for weekly classes that last for 1 and half hour per session and there are also that charge $ 10 per hour every time you come for class.There also some who provide class for the whole family at agreed rate.
The teachers normally will gauge your level of competency.If you are an absolute beginner, normally they will start off with a program called Iqra'. You will learn to recognise the 28 letters of the Arabic alphabets and proceed with recognising combinations of 2 letters, 3 letters and so on. Normally it will take you about 6mths to 1 year before you move on to reciting the Quran.
To learn reciting the Quran, you must be with a teacher who would correct your pronunciation and recitations.There are many centers that you could enquire from such as Andalus, Ar Riyard and even some Mosques in Singapore.
Hope the above information is useful to you.
Question : We have been invited by a Muslim friend to aqiqah. What are we supposed to do in that ceremony. Can we give money to contribute for the child's education ?
When a Muslim invite anyone for an Aqiqah celebration, it is an occasion to celebrate the joyous birth of a child. There is no specific protocol for guest towards the host. In most occasion, Muslims are encouraged to pray for the child by saying, : May God bless this child and make him/her a pious person.
Then mingle with the other guests and the host.With regards to gift, a monetary gift would be more meaningful towards the parents. They could use it for the needs of the child and also for their own expenses incurred during the childbirth. You can give gifts for the child in the form of clothes, toys, blankets etc if you so wish but money is better. There might be repetitions of gifts received by the parents from the other guests.If you want to contribute for the child's education, that would be even better and I'm sure the parents would be honoured and extremely happy for your thoughts.Hope you have a fun and happy aqiqah.
Question : What is aqiqah and how can I perform it ?
Aqiqah is done after the birth of a child.For a baby girl, a single goat is slaughtered and for a baby boy, 2 goats are slaughtered.The meat of the goat/goats can be cooked and friends and relatives invited to rejoice in the birth by a baby.
Alternatively, the uncooked meat can be distributed amongst friends, relatives and the poor.You can make use 1/3 of the meat for your own purposes.We also provide such services for those who wish to donate the meat to the poor.
Fill up the form in our website : www.aqiqahkorban.com and make payments through paypal.
The cost of a goat is US $ 112. The aqiqah is done in Mali. The meat will be distributed amongst the poor and needy in Mali.
What is the sunnah of aqiqah ? Can I delay it ?
Aqiqah is a show of gratitude and happiness on the bestowal of a child.
According to the sunnah, it is recommended to be done on the 7th day of birth. But if situation is not permissible, then you could still perform it on the 14 th day, 21st day , 28th day and so on. You could also do it anytime when the situation permits.If one is not able to do it due to affordability, then do it when the affordability is there be it many years later.
Even if a Muslim does not perform aqiqah on the child for some reason or another, there is no sin on the parents as the act of aqiqah is superogatory ( additional act of obedience ).
Question : What is tahnik ?
Tahnik is an act of chewing a piece of dates and spreading a portion of it on the palate(roof of the mouth ) of a new born baby.This can be done by the baby's own father or by a revered person in the community.
During the Prophet's time, his companions used to bring their new born child at the age of seven days to the Prophet.The Prophet would then perform the tahnik.This act is encouraged as it is the sunnah of the Prophet.
Question : I just would like to know, can the parents eat the Aqiqah meat,because some say they can't, but according to others the parents can eat the cooked meat. Please clarify for me Dear Ustaz. Thank you.
Yes the parents can partake and eat some of the meat of the animal that has been slaughtered for aqiqah.
Juat as Korban, the parents are entitled to 1/3 of the meat and the rest are given to the poor or family members and friends.
Question : What are the consequences of terminating a pregnancy and keeping it a secret from everybody?
Life in Islam is very precious. Allah states in the Quran, " Whoever kills a life has verily killed all of mankind".
Thus in Islam, a person is not allowed to terminate or abort a pregnancy except for medical reason. If the pregnancy could jeopardize the life of the mother or the child, then the pregnancy could be terminated.
If the pregnancy is terminated due to shame ( illegitimate child ), financial ( due to high cost of maintenance ) or other reasons, then it is forbidden.
Keeping it a secret is immaterial since whatever we do, we are still accountable to Allah, the All Knowing.
Question : Is it OK for a newly converted Muslim/Muslimah to remain married to his/her non-muslim spouse?
According to some fatwa, after the conversion of a Muslim/Muslimah, the spouse is given some time to consider converting to Islam also. If the spouse refuse, then they have to separate and talak/divorce would take place.
This matter is very connected to Mahkamah Syariah and I would advice any person involved in this matter to refer their case to Mahkamah Syariah and allow them to review it based on case to case basis.
Question : I just have a doubt to be cleared about aqiqah. My brother-in-law, who has lived in Saudi Arabia for couple of years mentioned me that aqiqah meat should be consumed by the father who give the aqiqah for the baby, and this is a practice in saudi arabia. is this true?? thanks..
The father and the family members are entitled to eat 1/3 of the meat that has been slaughtered. It is up to them to consume the entitlement or they may also give them away. There is no compulsion for the father to partake or eat the meat of aqiqah.
I have also lived in Saudi Arabia for some years and the practice is the same as any other Muslim countries. The meat slaughtered were distributed to friends and neighbours uncooked or even given to students who were studying religious knowledge.The Muslims there also follows the sunnah that were taught by our holy Prophet peace be upon him.
Question : Can Aqiqah be done together with Korban ? (Boleh ke aqiqah dibuat bersama dgn korban.)
Yes, aqiqah can be done together with korban. The meat of aqiqah can be included together with the portions of the meat of korban. For the korban of cow or camel, the animal can be shared by 7 persons or 7 portions. Each portion representing a goat.Thus if a person wants to use one or more of the portions for aqiqah, it is allowed.
( Ya, aqiqah boleh dicampurkan dari bahagian lembu ketika korban dilakukan.
Setiap bahagian lembu dikira sebagai seekor kambing samada bagi aqiqah atau korban.
Jadi bahagian yang disebutkan sebagai contoh boleh dilakukan.)
Question : I have not performed aqiqah for my child, can I do it together with korban. Example : 3 portions aqiqah, 4 portions korban for 1 cow slaughtered during Eidul Adha . ( Anak saya belum lagi aqiqah, bolehkah saya buat bersama dgn org yang nk buat korban.Contoh :- 3 org (aqiqah) 4 org (korban) Untuk 1 ekor lembu dibuat pd hari raya haji. )
Answer the same as previous question.
Question : Boleh ke aqiqah dibuat bersama dgn korban ?
Aqiqah boleh dilakukan bila-bila masa saja tetapi ibadah korban hanya boleh
dilakukan pada hari-raya haji atau 3 hari selepas hari raya haji. Maka
aqiqah boleh dibuat bersama dengan korban bila dilakukan pada hari raya haji
atau 3 hari selepas hari raya haji.
Question : I've just give birth to a baby boy on 24/2/2008 and am going to perform the aqiqah for him. How should i do it? and what is the cost? will I get the pic of the goat and certificate? please reply to me asap.
Yes we do aqiqah for those who wish to contribute the meat to the poor in Mali.I have friends who studied with me and are qualified person who would perform the aqiqah.
Just fill up the form in our website and you can post the cheque to :
Albany Learning and Development Pte Ltd
Blk 276, Bukit Batok East Ave 4
Singapore 650276
Payee for cheque : Albany Learning and Development Pte Ltd
The cost for 1 goat is SGD $ 165 .
Aqiqah for boy would be SGD $ 330.
The picture and the certificate wiil be prepared but normally will take quite sometime since they would consolidate the photos before printing it. Mali is a backward country and not many are well versed with the current technology.Sometime it would take a month after the aqiqah before the photos are posted.
Question : Boleh kah kita bercouple ? Bagaimana pula dengan chatting on-line ? Tentang ilmu mustalah pula, apa bezanya sanad dengan isnad ?
Bila seseorang bercouple dengan niat akan bertunang dan akhirnya mendirikan rumah tangga, ini dibenarkan dalam Islam dan tetap ada adab-adab tertentu yang harus diikut supaya tidak berlaku amalan yang boleh membawa kepada maksiat. Jika bercouple untuk suka-suka dan santai-santai, ini boleh mendatangkan masalah.
Namun kalau kita chatting dan berbual dalam phone, itu maknanya berkawan sahaja.Ikatan kawan biasa sahaja seperti kita berkawan di sekolah dengan teman-teman lain.Chatting on line takde masalah.SMs dan cakap pada phone pun ok juga.
Tentang mustalah, sanad dengan isnad takde beza. Ianya berbeza dalam sebutan yang digunakan dalam Bahasa Arab. Root word dia sama iaitu, Asnadu, Yusnidu.
Maknanya ialah Talian perawi yang terdapat pada hadith.
Question : Salam Ustadz...nak tanye sikit ni pasal sebuah hadith yang berkenaan zina itu berbagai. Kawan saye ni berpendapat bahawe bercouple itu haram..adakah itu betul?
Bercouple maksudnya seseorang mempunyai pasangan dan berpacaran. Jika kita lihat dari kaca masyarakat yang berlaku hari ini, kita akan lihat bahawa mereka yang bercouple atau berpacaran akan sedikit demi sedikit melakukan amalan-amalan yang bercanggah dengan Islam. Ada di kalangan mereka yang pada mulanya berpimpin tangan dan kemudian mula bercumbuan dan sebagainya. Islam menganggap sesuatu amalan yang akan membawa kepada sesuatu perkara yang haram, maka amalan itu adalah haram.
Allah SWT sebut di dalam Alquran :Laa Taqrabu zina ( Jangan kamu dengan dengan amalan zina ).
Ayat ini menunjukkan bahawa semua amalan yang boleh membawa kepada zina seperti berdua-duaan di tempat yang sunyi adalah haram. Dari segi ini, bercoupling juga adalah haram.
Question : Are dental implants allowed in Islam? As in planting a titanium screw in the person\'s gums...
According to our scholars, they state that in our daily practices, if there are no dalil from the Quran or Hadith that forbids us from doing it, then it is halal and allowed.
There is a maxim that states : Al aslu fil muamalah al ibahah ( The origin of all daily practices is permissible ).
With regards to tooth implants, there is no hadith or verses of the Quran that forbids one from doing so.The forbiddence only exist if one wishes to straighten the level of teeth by filing it down.
Implants is akin to wearing false teeth because it aids one in the chewing of food.
Placing a titanium screw in one's gum is not prohibited. Same if one wish to place titanium screws at other part of their bodies such as leg bones due to motor accidents.
Question : Asasalamua\'laikum Ustadz. If there is suspected cross-contamination(non-halal food) of plates and microwave at workplace canteen, how do you perform the \"sertu\"? Thanks. Wassalam.
By you saying "Cross contamination of non-halal food", I assume you meant pork related products.
According to the Syafie's school of thought, utensils that has been contaminated by pork related substances must be cleansed 7 times with the first washing by water that has been mixed with soil. The cleansing method is the same as those that has been contaminated by dog's saliva. The Prophet saw said :
"If a dog lick in a container belonging to one of you, then wash it 7 times, the first with water mixed with soil."
If you want to "sertu" the microwave oven or any other untensils, then get a bowl of water, place some soil ( any soil )in it and use it to wipe the inner side of the microwave once. Afterwhich, get another cloth, dip it in normal water and wipe the microwave 6 times. That would make the microwave "clean" and pure to be used.
The problem after having cleansed it, there will be problems of it being recontaminted by those who continue to use the microwave for reheating their pork related food items. Thus you would have to recleanse it again.
Question : When we must do aqiqah?can we do aqiqah until baby get 1 year old?
Aqiqah is an act of showing our gratitude towards Allah for bestowing upon us a baby.
Aqiqah according to the sunnah of our beloved Prophet pbuh is to be done 7 days after the birth of the baby.
If that is not possible, then do it after 14 days, 21 days or any days after that.
Even after the baby is 1 year old, the aqiqah could still be done.
Some whose parents could not afford to perform aqiqah when they were small, do it on their own when they are grown up as the replacement of aqiqah that was not done.
Question : Can a Muslim place tattoos on his body ?
Placing tattoos on a person's body is haram in Islam.
The Prophet saw said : Allah curses those who tattoos and those who asked to be tattooed.
Normally those who placed the tattoos on their body did it out of ignorance.If they had repented for their actions, InsyaAllah it will be forgiven as long as the repentance fulfil 3 conditions which are : 1. To stop from such action, 2. Feeling remorse and regretful over their action and 3. Never to repeat the action in the future.
Removing tattoos is a difficult process.It requires laser treatment or chemical treatment which is extremely costly.
Masjid Tentera is offering tattoo removal service at subsidised rate. If the tattoo could be removed, then that is the best.
If that is not possible, then leave it alone.The wudhu as well as the solat of that person is valid and accepted. All his act of worship is the same as other Muslims. Just wear clothes that would conceal his tattoos especially when in mosque because it would invite stares and comments from some jemaahs who do not know about its laws.
Question : When do we shave the baby and what to do with the hair ?
Shaving of the baby's hair is done on the seventh day after birth.You can do a bit later by a few days.The weight of the hair is normally estimated as the shaving would be done with some soap and water and the weight is quite difficult to determine accurately.If the aqiqah is done a year later, the baby's hair is no longer required to be shaved but the amount to be weighed should still be the weight at 7 days old which could be estimated at 2-5 grams.The amount to be given in alms could be from $50-$100
Question : What is the difference between mazhab and Wahabism ?
Mazhab is the way taken by an Imam in determining the ways an act of Ibadah is performed. There are 4 major mazhabs that are held by Muslims around the world such as Syafie, Hanafi, Maliki and Hambali.
Wahabism is an ideology propagated by Muhammad Bin Abdul Wahab. He himself hold on to Hambali mazhab.
There are many issues brought on by Muhammad Bin Abdul Wahab that have been controversial and has its supporters and retractors.Please look out on his biography and teachings by googling his name.
Question : Can Muslims do Zikr by jumping up and down in a loud voice ?
Zikir is an act that gets a Muslim closer to Allah SWT. Some scholars states that it is a pure act of ibadah and must be substantiated with an example from the Prophet saw. The Islamic maxim states that : The origin of all ibadah is haram ( Al aslu fil ibadah haram ). This means that we should not perform any act of ibadah unless there is a prove stating the practice from the Prophet saw. To make zikir by jumping up and down with loud voice is totally contradicting the Prophet's teaching. There was once an incident where the companions shout at the top of their voice when they make zikir while travelling with the Prophet saw and the Prophet chided them and said : You are not praising Him who is deaf or dumb.
Thus there are certain ettiquettes that Muslims should follow when they want to get close to Allah SWT and not to do it according to their whims and fancies.
Question : What is the difference between aqiqah and korban ?
A goat can be sacrificed for both male and female.
There are 2 forms of sacrifice. Aqiqah and Korban.
For aqiqah, the sunnah is to sacrifice 2 goats on the occasion of the birth of a baby boy, and 1 goat for a girl.
In Korban, both male and female can sacrifice any amount of animals they wish to be it goats, cows or camels.
There is no difference in the sacrifice of Korban which is performed on Eidul Adha and three days that preceeds it.
