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International Day of Zero Tolerance For FGM: [A Brief Rebuttal Against Haphazard and Confused Heba Yosry at Alarabiya News]

In The Name of Allaah, The Most Merciful, The Bestower of Mercy.

FGM

In an article dated February 10th 2021, Heba Yosry stated that UN Women declared February 6th the International Day of Zero Tolerance for Female Genital Mutilation (FGM), a practice criminalized in several Muslim countries, with Egypt one of them. It recently increased the period of imprisonment for anyone guilty of doing this from 5-7 years, to 5-20 years. Dar al-Ifta the highest Islamic legislative body in Egypt, proclaims that FGM is forbidden under Islamic law because of the physical and mental damage that it causes. The punitive measures in place do little to deter some parents from subjecting their young daughters to this atrocious procedure. Too often we hear about girls who die due to a botched circumcision or from excessive bleeding. Many FGM victims who survive the attack on their genitalia, then endure the physical and emotional scars that can cripple their future mental, reproductive and sexual wellbeing. The detrimental physical and psychological effects of FGM are well documented and well communicated, but the question remains: Why is FGM still practiced? The answer is the female body. FGM is a crude and abhorrent version of a chastity belt, applied with the misguided and malicious intent to keep a girl’s pureness. It guarantees the young woman will not lose her mind in moments of passion and act on her lust, and on this very basis the people who believe this are preposterous. The recent case of a grown married woman coerced by her husband to undergo a FGM procedure because he suffered from sexual dysfunction, and his unfounded suspicion of her infidelity shows his weakness; not hers. This is hardly an isolated incident. Husbands have ordered several wives to endure the humiliating and painful procedure. Iran jailed an academic partly because of his research on FGM. The female body doesn’t just scare people; it terrorizes governments too. Politicizing the female body is hardly new. Yet the underlying assumption is rarely questioned. Instead, the intention is explained away as conforming to an ancient practice. FGM rests within the perception that women are either inferior beings who are unable to control their libido or that they are gullible creatures who need guarded against the faceless seducer who will sully her honor. Both assumptions are founded upon the primordial conception that a girl’s body is an object belonging to another, whether a father or a husband. Girls, naturally, lack the ability to make their own decisions. Eradication of lust from the female body is essential because saving a girl or a woman from her innate desires is a man’s mission. Men are doing the right thing because as soon as a girl starts to show any signs of womanhood pruning her body protects the family honor. Utter nonsense. FGM isn’t merely an ugly practice that some Muslims aim to continuously repudiate in front of the Western world. FGM is a statement articulated on the feminine body, a stigma that she must carry her whole life to attest for her inaptitude as a human being, of her inferior status, of the pain she must endure simply because she was born a girl. FGM is a painful manifestation of gender inequality. As countries take steps to end the practice of FGM, through legislative measures that punish its perpetrators, they must address the foundational preconditions that allow this practice to thrive. Imagine this: A father takes a 12-year-old girl to a makeshift clinic, and assures her on their way that she will be alright, that the procedure won’t hurt as much as she thinks, and that this pain is necessary, and compensated with the congratulatory gifts that she will receive. She will be an adult. The girl continues to walk beside her father aided with the pride that she will now be a grown up, and the faith that her father will never do anything to hurt her. She enters the clinic, lies on the cold steel examining table, the nurse pulls up her dress and ties her legs so that she doesn’t kick to protect herself. Her father holds her arms to prevent her from moving. A man emerges holding a blade. He approaches the girl, spreads her legs. She screams. Let her screams be heard, and end the abomination that is, FGM. [End of quote]

Before presenting the knowledge-based research on this subject matter by Shaikh Abu Iyaad [may Allaah preserve him], we remind Heba Yosry that her above statement is a mixture of truth and falsehood, ignorance, ambiguity and emotion – devoid of detail and distinction. It would have been better for her to refrain from speaking about a subject matter whose complete truth and falsehood is not manifest to her, because indeed as the saying goes, ”Silence beautifies the scholar and conceals the ignorance of the ignorant one”. Imaam Ibnul Qayyim [may Allaah be pleased with him] said: ”It is obligated on you to give detail and make a distinction, because unrestricted and general (statements) without clarification has indeed corrupted this existence (i.e. the world), misguided the intellects and views in every era”. Al-Allaamah Saaleh Al-Fawzaan [may Allaah preserve him] said, ”There has to be detail explanation. The one who is not proficient in giving detail should keep quiet, because benefit is not acquired from his speech. And every time error occurs, its cause is due to an absence of detail explanation regarding truth and falsehood. There has to be detail explanation and distinction and not to mix up [affairs]. Indeed, it may be that there is something of truth and falsehood in an opponent’s statement, so all of it is neither deemed to be false nor truth; rather there has to be a distinction between its truth and falsehood. All of it is neither rejected nor accepted; rather a distinction is made regarding the truth and what is correct and the falsehood and error in it. And if you are not proficient in giving detail, then you should not enter into this field”. [Ref 1]

We remind Heba Yosry to refrain from conjecture as Allaah [The Exalted] said: [إِن يَتَّبِعُونَ إِلَّا ٱلظَّنَّ وَمَا تَهۡوَى ٱلۡأَنفُسُ‌ۖ – They follow but a guess and that which they themselves desire].

There is a tremendous benefit derived from this above statement, because the one deprived of sound Eemaan and the sound creed sent down as revelation by Allaah- The Lord of the Aalameen, then his affair is one of two: Corruption in Knowledge or Corruption in his Intent– corruption in knowledge occurs as a result of following conjecture and corruption in one’s intent occurs as a result of following desires, or the person may combine both of them.  Another benefit derived from this is that the rectification or well-being of a person cannot be attained except by way of two affairs: Upright (or sound) Knowledge and Upright (or sound) Intent. This is why Imaam Ibnul Qayyim (may Allaah have mercy upon him) said in Miftaah Daarus Sa’aadah that a person is in need of two things: ‘(Sound) Knowledge by way of which he is (rightly) guided and lofty aspiration by way of which he is urged towards that (sound aspiration)’, because it maybe that a person has beneficial knowledge but not (sound) intent and aspiration. Therefore, one cannot be upright except by way of upright knowledge and intent. Sound knowledge is corrupted through following conjecture and sound intent is corrupted through following the desires of one’s soul.
Allaah [The Exalted] stated about the Messenger [sallal laahu alayhi wasallam]: [مَا ضَلَّ صَاحِبُكُمۡ وَمَا غَوَىٰ-Your companion (Muhammad) has neither gone astray nor has erred]. That is because the Daal (misguided person) is one whose knowledge is corrupted and the Ghaawiy (astray one) is the one whose intent is corrupted. Also, the Prophet [peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him] described his four khulafaa [Abu Bakr, Umar, Uthmaan and Ali (may Allaah be pleased with them)] with the words ‘Raashideen and Mahdiyyeen’, because the Raashid [i.e. The one who is steadfast upon the right path and is firmly established upon it] is the opposite of the Ghaawiy [The one who strays from the right path or conduct], and the Mahdee [The one guided to the path of truth and yeilds obediently to it] is the opposite of the Daalun [the misguided one, especially in knowledge and creed]. [Ref 2]

Finally, here is a detail discussion on this subject matter – free from falsehood, emotions and exaggeration. http://www.aboutatheism.net/articles/kflqsjb-on-female-genital-mutilation-culture-and-islam-a-refutation-of-ayaan-hirsi-ali.cfm  FGM

May Allaah guide this woman to utter truth, rather than uttering a mixture of truth and falsehood due to ignorance and desiring to please the militant secularists Aameen.


[Ref 1: An Excerpt from At-Ta-leeqaat Al-Mukhtasar Alaa Al-Qaseedah an-Nooniyyah: Vol: 1 page: 216. By Shaikh Saaleh Al-Fawzaan (hafidhahullaah). Slightly paraphrased]
[Ref 2: An Excerpt from Sharh Kitaab At-Tawheed. Lesson 4. By Shaikh Abdur Razzaaq Al-Badr. Slightly paraphrased]

Marriage First or Seeking Knowledge First? [Al-Allaamah Rabee Bin Haadee’s Advice]

In The Name of Allaah, The Most Merciful, The Bestower of Mercy.

Al-Allaamah Rabee Bin Haadi Al-Madkhalee [may Allaah preserve him] said: If you are able to exercise patience and seek knowledge, then exercise patience- meaning, study before getting married, just as Umar [radiyallaahu-anhu] said that “Some people might be prevented from [seeking] knowledge due to marriage’’. So, when he gets married, he abandons seeking knowledge and becomes relaxed, and tires himself [i.e. it becomes difficult for him to combine  family responsibilities and seeking knowledge at the same time]. But if he has the ability to combine the Maslahatayn [i.e. the benefits of marriage and seeking knowledge], then that is good, [as long as] he does not consider himself as one who will commit wicked deeds and fornicate; [for] if this is the case, then -by Allaah- it becomes more obligatory on him to get married to protect himself and guard his chastity. http://www.rabee.net/ar/questions.php?cat=51&id=623 paraphrased. Your feedback is welcome to improve the content of this article Baarakallaahu Feekum

Why Was Shaikhul Islaam Ibn Taymiyyah (rahimahullaah) Unmarried throughout His Life? Al-Allaamah Saaleh Al-Fawzaan [hafidhahullaah] clarifies

Why Was Shaikhul Islaam Ibn Taymiyyah (rahimahullaah) Unmarried throughout His Life? Shaikh Saaleh Al-Fawzaan clarifies – salafidawahmanchester.com/

 

Part 1: Bias Writer Disapproves of Men Who Are Married to More Than One Woman, But Suggests Illegal Sexual Intercourse to Muslim Men! [A Brief Gentle Response Before a Possible Stern Rebuttal]

In The Name of Allaah, The Most Merciful, The Bestower of Mercy.

Allaah [The Mighty and Majestic] said:

إِنَّ هَـٰذَا ٱلۡقُرۡءَانَ يَہۡدِى لِلَّتِى هِىَ أَقۡوَمُ

Verily, this Qur’an guides to that which is most just and right. [Surah Al-Israa. Aayah 9]

Imaam Muhammad Al-Ameen Bin Muhammad Al-Mukhtaar Ash-Shanqeeti [rahimahullaah] said:

And from the guidance of the Qur’aan to that which is most just and right is that it allows [a man to marry] four wives; but if the man fears that he cannot be just between them, then he is to restrict himself to one or those whom his right hand possesses, as Allaah (The Most High) stated:

وَإِنۡ خِفۡتُمۡ أَلَّا تُقۡسِطُواْ فِى ٱلۡيَتَـٰمَىٰ فَٱنكِحُواْ مَا طَابَ لَكُم مِّنَ ٱلنِّسَآءِ مَثۡنَىٰ وَثُلَـٰثَ وَرُبَـٰعَ‌ۖ فَإِنۡ خِفۡتُمۡ أَلَّا تَعۡدِلُواْ فَوَٲحِدَةً أَوۡ مَا مَلَكَتۡ أَيۡمَـٰنُكُمۡ‌ۚ ذَٲلِكَ أَدۡنَىٰٓ أَلَّا تَعُولُواْ

And if you fear that you shall not be able to deal justly with the orphan- girls, then marry (other) women of your choice, two or three, or four but if you fear that you shall not be able to deal justly (with them), then only one or (the captives and the slaves) that your right hands possess. [Surah An-Nisaa. Ayah:3]

No doubt the path that is the most just and right of paths is that which legitimizes for a man to have more than one wife due to the tangible affairs known to every sensible person. And from those affairs is that an individual woman menstruates, falls ill and contends with other hindrances that prevent her from fulfilling the more specific duties of marriage, whereas a man is readily prepared as a means to increasing the Ummah.

And from those affairs is that Allaah made it a common phenomenon that men are fewer in number than women in the various regions of the world and are more often exposed to the causes of death in all walks of life.  If a man were restricted to one wife, there would remain a great number of women deprived of marriage, so they [both men and women] will be strongly urged towards illegal sexual intercourse. Therefore, turning away from the guidance of the Qur’aan in this affair is one of the greatest causes of moral deprivation. It is (one of the greatest causes) of being lowered to the level of animals due to a lack of safeguarding chastity, preservation of nobility, good moral conduct and manners. So Glorified and Exalted is (Allaah) above all that evil they associate with Him, The All-Wise, Well-Acquainted with all things.  Allaah said:

الٓر‌ۚ كِتَـٰبٌ أُحۡكِمَتۡ ءَايَـٰتُهُ ۥ ثُمَّ فُصِّلَتۡ مِن لَّدُنۡ حَكِيمٍ خَبِيرٍ

‘(This is) a Book, the verses whereof are perfected (in every sphere of knowledge), and then explained in detail from One (Allaah), Who is All-Wise, Well-Acquainted (with all things)’ [Surah Hood. Ayah 1]

And from those affairs is that women are all readily prepared for marriage, whereas many men do not have the ability to fulfil the requirements of marriage due to poverty.  Those prepared for marriage amongst men are fewer than those amongst women. A woman is not hindered whereas a man is hindered by poverty and the ability to fulfil the requirements of marriage. If a man were restricted to one woman, many women prepared for marriage would have missed the opportunity for marriage. This would become a cause for loss of virtue, (a means to) depravation and moral decadence, and the opportunity to preserve the human race would be lost.

So if a man fears that he will not be able to deal justly between the wives, then it is incumbent upon him to restrict himself to one or to those whom his right hand possesses; because Allaah has stated:

إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ يَأۡمُرُ بِٱلۡعَدۡلِ وَٱلۡإِحۡسَـٰنِ

Verily, Allaah enjoins justice and kind treatment. [Surah Nahl. Aayah 90]

It is not permissible to incline towards giving preferential (treatment) with regards to the rights given by the divine law to each of the wives due to the saying of Allaah:

وَلَن تَسۡتَطِيعُوٓاْ أَن تَعۡدِلُواْ بَيۡنَ ٱلنِّسَآءِ وَلَوۡ حَرَصۡتُمۡ‌ۖ فَلَا تَمِيلُواْ ڪُلَّ ٱلۡمَيۡلِ فَتَذَرُوهَا كَٱلۡمُعَلَّقَةِ

You will never be able to do perfect justice between wives [regarding what is hidden in your heart as to who amongst them you love the most] even if it is your ardent desire, so do not incline too much to one of them [by giving her more of your time and provision] so as to leave the other hanging [i.e. neither divorced nor being given the rights due to her]. [Surah An-Nisaa. Aayah: 129]

As for the natural inclination towards loving some of them more than others, the human being is not able to prevent this because it is an emotional (affair) and the soul’s desire, but it is not something that is acted upon [i.e. leads to injustice]. This is what is intended by Allaah’s statement:

وَلَن تَسۡتَطِيعُوٓاْ أَن تَعۡدِلُواْ بَيۡنَ ٱلنِّسَآءِ

You will never be able to do perfect justice between wives. [Surah Nisaa; Ayah: 129]

The claim of some of the disbelievers amongst the enemies of Islaam is that to have more than one wife necessitates constant argumentation and disagreement which ends up in a life of misery, because whenever one of the wives is pleased the other is angered, so the two (wives) are always in displeasure and this is not wisdom.

This (above statement of some of the disbelievers) is a worthless statement whose worthlessness is clear to every sensible person. That is because argument and disagreement between individual members of a family does not cease, because it takes place between a man and his mother, father, children and his only wife. It is a common affair of no great concern alongside the overriding tremendous benefits of marrying more than one woman, such as safeguarding women, facilitating marriage for them and increasing the number of the Ummah so that they can stand firm against the enemies of Islaam in every affair; and an overriding tremendous benefit takes precedence over prevention of a small harm. [Ref 1]

Imaam Abdul Azeez Bin Baaz [rahimahullaah] said:

If a person marries (several women) in order to protect himself from (Zina) and to increase in numbers of children, then there is no problem in this. However, it should not be for the (purpose) of playing around. [Ref 2]

Finally: Who are those whom your right hand possess?

Listen to audio here by Shaikh Abdul Waahid Abu Khadeejah [hafidhahullaah]:

https://video.link/w/Qbaub

https://video.link/w/lUZtb

 


[Ref 1. An Excerpt from Tafseerul Qur’aan Bil Qur’aan Min Adwaa Al-Bayaan. Pages 428-429. Slightly paraphrased]

[Ref 2: Al-Hulalul Ibreeziyyah Min At-Taleeqaat Al-baaziyyah Alaa Saheeh Al-Bukhaaree Volume 4; Hadith Number:5069.  Footnote Number 3]

A Man’s Knowledge Regarding The Feelings of His Wife In different Situations, Whilst Sincere Love And Respect Is Maintained Between Them

In The Name of Allaah, The Most Merciful, The Bestower of Mercy.

Aa’isha [may Allaah be pleased with her] narrated that Allaah’s Messenger [peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him] said to her, “I know when you are pleased with me or angry with me”. I said, “When do you know that?” He said, “When you are pleased with me, you say, ‘No, by the Lord of Muhammad,’ but when you are angry with me, then you say, ‘No, by the Lord of Abraaheem.’ ” Thereupon I said, “Yes, (certainly, you are right); but by Allaah, O Allaah’s Messenger, I do not leave anything else besides your name”.

Benefits From This Hadeeth

  • A man’s thorough observation regarding the state of a woman due to her action, speech, inclination or lack of inclination towards him based on indications, because the Prophet [peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him] firmly determined Aa’Isha’s  [may Allaah be pleased with her] happiness or anger merely when she mentioned or refrain from mentioning his name; therefore, he judged the two situations based on the mention or the absence of a mention of his name as an indication of happiness or anger. It can also be definitely the case that there is something more explicit regarding this affair, but he did not say it.
  • And regarding the statement of Aa’Isha, “Yes (certainly, you are right); but by Allaah, O Allaah’s Messenger, I do not leave anything else besides your name”. At-Teebee said, “This is a very subtle way of making an exception, because she related that when she is in a state of anger – a state in which a sane person loses his senses by choice, her affirmed love for the Messenger does not change.
  • Ibnul Muneer said, “What Aa’isha intended is that she left out the wording of the Prophet’s name but her heart’s pure love and affection towards the noble person of the Prophet does not leave her.
  • And with regards to the choice Aa’Isha made to use Prophet Ibraaheem’s [peace be upon him] name instead of the other Prophet’s, this is proof regarding her intelligence, because the Prophet is the one with the best claim to Ibraaheem just as Allaah stated in the Qur’an. Therefore, when she had no other way of leaving a noble name, she replaced it with the name of someone who is from the one whose name she left out, so that her heart does not exit the boundaries of that attachment.

[Source: An Excerpt from Fat-hul Baari Sharh Saheeh Al-Bukhaari Hadeeth 5228. Vol 9, Pages 404- 405. Slightly paraphrased. Publisher. Daarus Salaam. 1st Edition 1421AH [Year 2000]

We ask Allaah to place abundant love, compassion and mercy between us and our wives upon that which agrees with the Qur’aan and the authentic Sunnah Aameen.

The Cure for Sorrow and Grief – Shaykh Saaleh Al-Fawzaan

Some people if they are afflicted with grief they go to the entertainers and musicians, to remove it from himself he says. And this increases him (in grief), and Allah’s Aid is sought. It increases him in grief and sadness.

As for if he went to the Qur’an and listened to the Qur’an and remembrance, what he found (of sadness and grief) would have stopped by the Permission of Allah.

Some people when the grief intensifies he kills himself, he commits suicide, and Allah’s Aid is sought. He kills himself expecting this to be the removal (of his difficulty). And this increases him (in grief) because if he kills himself he goes to the Fire.

From where has he freed himself (of his grief)? He has not freed himself.

There is no cure except with patience, and the remembrance of Allah and listening to the Qur’an and Sunnah.
This is the cure. The cure is with you right in front of you. However some of the people, or in fact many of the people are prevented (from being guided) to this cure.

So they flee to its opposite, they go to singers, the musicians, the entertainment theatres. Believing that this will remove (the grief) from himself, this increases his affliction, increases his deterioration.


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Tremendous Benefits of Gentleness for Your Hearts – Shaykh al-Uthaymeen

Know that gentleness towards the weak, the orphan and the young places in the heart: mercy, softness, compassion and (al-inaabah) turning repentantly to Allah The Mighty and Majestic with submission and eemaan. None attains this except the one who practises that (gentleness).

So it is a must for you to be merciful to the young, the orphan and the poor, in order for your heart to acquire compassion, tenderness and mercy. 

The Prophet (ﷺ) said: “Indeed those who Allah is merciful to from his slaves are the ones who are merciful to others.” (1)

We ask Allah to cover us and the Muslims with His Mercy and Grace, indeed He is Bountiful, the Generous One Abundant in Good.


Explanation of Riyaadh as-Saaliheen by Shaykh al-Uthaymeen page 89.

(1) Hadith of Abu Usaamah ibn Zayd (Allah have mercy on them both) Bukhari 1284 & Muslim 923

How to be Fair When Spending on Children – Shaykh Saaleh Al-Fawzan

Q: If a father gives to all his children, the one who is in need from them and the one who is not in need, and he sometimes pays their debts. Is it incumbent upon him to be equal (between them), and how is this equality (achieved) if some do not have debts upon them?

A: Equality is in giving (gifts) and ownership, as for obligatory spending, then each is given in accordance with his need. Even if some require more than others. In obligatory spending, equality is not a condition, justice (in this case) is giving each according to his need. The obligatory spending on the older (child) is not like the obligatory spending on the infant. Justice is giving each in accordance to his need. That’s it.

And the one who is in need of marriage, help him marry; there is not a requirement to provide the (same) amount to the another (child).

[Speech unclear]

This is from obligatory spending, marriage is from obligatory spending, he helps to marry the one in need of marriage. As for the one who is not in need of marriage due to being young, there is nothing for him. Therefore obligatory spending, there is no equality; meaning giving the same and it is only giving each individual according to his need. and the needs of the children will differ, such as (between) the older and the younger child.

The rest of the question?

Is it incumbent upon him to be equal (between them), if he pays the debts of some of them.

Likewise with debt, if his son is finding difficulty, and he is not able to clear the debt. Then he pays it for him, and it is not binding to give to the other (child), because this situation is not the case of ownership, this is under the circumstance of settlement (of debt); removal of debt from his son. So this (father) does not give the others the same as him (the one in debt). As for if they are (also) in debt, and cannot find a way out, he pays it for them, just like he pays for the other one’s (debt).

As for if one of them is rich and able to settle (his debts), and (another) one is poor, being sought (to pay) and it is tight for him, then he settles the debts for him and does not settle the debt of the other rich (child).

Take Good Care of the Youth – Shaykh Al-Uthaymīn

Shaykh Al-Uthaymīn (Allah have mercy on him) said:

The legislated texts came urging with (cultivating and) taking good care of the youth; directing them to that which is good, upright and proper.

Therefore, if the youth are upright and proper – and they are the foundation and future of this nation, their uprightness is built upon strong pillars of the religion and manners – in the future they will be a light for this nation and righteous successors for our scholars, inshā Allāh.


Source: Shaykh Uthaymīn’s “Min Mushkilāt Ash-Shabāb” page 5

Say Only Those Words that are the Best – An Excerpt From a Contemplative Khutbah – Shaykh Abdur Razzaaq al Badr

An Excellent Khutbah based upon the following Ayah in which Allah says:

“And say to My slaves (i.e. the true believers of Islamic Monotheism) that they should (only) say those words that are the best. (Because) Shaitan (Satan) verily, sows disagreements among them. Surely, Shaitan (Satan) is to man a plain enemy.” [Surah Al-Israa. Ayah 53]

Excerpt

How many – O slaves of Allaah- enmities and wars broke out due to one evil statement, and how much love, brotherhood and [amicability, hospitality, cordiality etc] spread between the slaves due to one good statement!

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