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Volume: 3 Issue: 7 August, 2008 Rajab, Sha’ban 1429 A.H.
In the memory of Hazrat Maseehullah Khan, Khaleefah of Maulana Ashraf Ali Thanwi (rah)
EDITORIAL BOARD Editor-in-Chief
Mohammad Anwar Khan Qasmi Shuaibullah Khan
Mufti Shafeeq Ahmad Qasmi (Founder & Principal of Jamia Islamia Maseehul
Maulana Sagheer Ahmad Nadwi Uloom & President of IVA)
Maulana Aslamullah Khan Qasmi
Mufti Rafeeq Ahmad Qasmi C O N T E N T S
Mufti Faheemuddin Qasmi
Mufti Abrarul Haq Qasmi
Al-Qur’an:.....................................................2
ADVISORY BOARD Al- Hadith:.....................................................4
Mufti Iftikhar Ahmad Qasmi
Maulana Shabbir Ahmad Nadwi
Maulana Shamsuddin Qasmi Editorial:—Let us build an Amicable
Hafiz Sharafuddin atmosphere!:................................................. 8
Hafiz Ahmad Waheed
Janab Sayed Obedullah
Janab Dr. Imran
Janab Tajuddin Basha
Sighting the Moon: .................................... 11
Janab Mohammad Ameenuddin
Islam and the Western Society:................ 16
MANAGING COMMITTEE
Mufti Shuaibullah Khan Q & A :......................................................... 26
Janab Sayed Ibrahim
Janab Ashraf Vohra Maulana Muhammad Ilyas:......................... 34
Mohammad Himayatullah Khan
Janab Najeebullah Khan
Janab J. Khaleel Ahmad Hospitals and Medical Schools
Janab Mohammad Maseehullah in the Islamic Civilization:........................ 40
Janab K.M. Parvez Ahmad
PUBLIC RELATIONS RAZIA SULTANA - THE FIRST QUEEN
Janab Mohammad Rawuf Sharief
Mob: 9845022262
WHO RULED DELHI : ........................... 44
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August, 2008 ISLAMIC VISION 1
 Al-Qur’an MUFTI MUHAMMAD SHAFI

Surely, those who conceal what We have revealed of clear sings and guidance - even
after We have explained them for people, in the Book, upon them Allah casts damnation,
and curse them those who curse. Yet, those who repent and correct and declare, their
repentance I accept. And I am the most Relenting, the most Merciful. Indeed, those
who disbelieved and died while they were disbelievers; upon them is the curse of Allah,
and of angels, and of all human beings together, remaining therein forever. Neither
will the punishment be lightened for them, nor will they be given respite.
Commentary Al-Baqarah: 159-162

A
s part of the debated issue of Qiblah, the text has pointed out how the people of the
Book went about concealing the truth concerning the prophethood of the Holy
Prophet (saws) for whom the Ka'bah was appointed as the Qiblah. It is Verse,
146, where it was said:
"Those whom We have given the Book recognize him (The Holy Prophet) as they recognize
their own sons. And, in fact, a group of them does conceal the truth while they know."
Now the text, in order to conclude the subject, warns those who not only conceal the truth
but, going further ahead in obstinacy, persist in their effort. The ultimate fate of this senseless
persistence being all too obvious, Allah almighty still extends the promise of His mercy and
forgiveness to those who repent and reflect on what they did, retrace their steps and correct
their negative attitude towards divine truth and, in order to demonstrate their positive stand,
come forward and state the truth clearly and publicly. The natural consequence of such a
reformed attitude would be that they will enter the fold of Islam believing in Allah and His
prophet, which is the touchstone for any disbeliever's honest change of heart.
The duty of spreading the Islamic Knowledge
Verse 159 above stated that concealing from people clear signs and guidance revealed by
Allah Almighty is a terrible crime, which earns the curse of Allah Almighty Himself, as well as
that of His entire creation. Let us point out to some injunctions that issue forth from this verse:
1. It is forbidden to conceal knowledge which must be disclosed and disseminated widely.
The Holy Prophet (saws) said:
"Anyone who is asked about something (of religion) which he knows would, in the event that
he conceals it, be brought forth by Allah on the Doomsday harnessed with a rein of fire."
According to the fuqaha (Muslim jurists), this warning applies to a person, who is the only
one available in a given situation. If there are other knowledgeable persons present, he has the
option of suggesting that the issue may be discussed with an alim who knows it. (Qurtubi and
Jassas)

August, 2008 ISLAMIC VISION 2

 2. Another very important rule that emerges from here is that one who himself does not
possess the sound knowledge of religious injunctions and rulings should not try to explain
them.
3. The third rule we find out is that answers to religious questions which are intricate, deeply
involved and way beyond the comprehension level of common people should not be offered
before them lest they fall a prey to some misunderstanding. This will not be considered as
concealment of knowledge' since what is not allowed is the concealment of clear guidance
given in the Qur'an and Sunnah which it is rather necessary to disclose and disseminate widely.
The expression : "of clear signs and guidance" in this verse releases a strong suggestion to this
effect. It was about such questions that the blessed Companion 'Abdullah bin Masud had
said: 'If you recite ahadith which people do not understand fully, you will be throwing them
into a nest of discord." (Qurtubi)
As reported in Sahiah al-Bukhari, Sayyidna 'Ali has said: "Disclose to the common people
only that much of knowledge as they have the capacity to understand. Do you want them to
deny Allah and his Messenger?' for, anything beyond their comprehension would breed doubts
in their minds and the possibility is there that they may refuse to accept it.
This leads us to the rule that it is the responsibility of an alim' a religious scholar or a guide,
to talk to people after he has assessed their ability to receive what is to be communicated.
Such questions should not be brought up before a person who is likely to fall in error or
misunderstanding. It is for this reason that Muslim jurists, while discussing such questions in
writing, conclude with a standard warning tag of "the question under discussion is sensitive,
therefore, a scholar should limit it to his comprehension and refrain from broadcasting it in
public. It is reported that the Holy Prophet (saws) has said: "Do not withhold wisdom from
those who deserve it, for if you do so, you will be unjust to them; and do not place it before
those who do not deserve it, for if you do so, you will be unjust to it."


August, 2008 ISLAMIC VISION 3

 AL-HADITH
M
alik reported from Yahya Ibn Said
that Abdullah Ibn Masud (ra) said
to a certain man, “You are in a time
when men of understanding (fuqaha) are many
and Qur’an reciters (Qurra) are few, when the
hudud defined in the Qur’an are guarded and
its letters are neglected, when few people ask
and many give, when they make the prayer long
and the Khutbah short, and put their actions
before their desires. A time will come upon
people when their fuqaha are few but their
Qur’an reciters are many, when the letters of
the Qur’an are guarded carefully but its hudud
are neglected, when many ask but few give,
when they make the Khutbah long but the prayer
short, and put their desires before their actions.”
(Malik in Muwatta)
Commentary: In this hadith, Abdullah Ibn
Masud has compared his times with the future,
which will follow him. He has clearly mentioned
a great difference between the two: first, he said
that his time was such in which the people of
understating (Fuqaha’) were many and the
reciters of the Qur’an were few. But, later there
will come a period in which there will be many
reciters of the Holy Qur’an and there will be a
great scarcity of the people of understanding.
In his times, the commandments and injunctions
of the Qur’an were more carefully preserved
than its words but there will come a time when
the words and letters of the Qur’an will be
protected and cared for but the commandments
of the Shariah will go unnoticed and
unpractised.
August, 2008 ISLAMIC VISION
A DDRESSING Y OU
SHUAIBULLAH KHAN
Fuqaha’ are the people who recite the Qur’an
in a perfect manner and have a good
understanding of it along with mastering the
knowledge of Islamic Shariah. They understand
the true meaning of the Qur’an and hadith along
with having the full ability to draw conclusions
and injunctions from them directly. Qurra, plural
of Qari, are the people who recite the Holy
Qur’an in the most excellent voice or tarteel.
Though, they will not bother on reflecting about
their meanings, contents, purposes, and
injunctions. That is they recite the Qur’an
without understanding the true import of its
meaning.
Abdullah Ibn Masud in this hadith has
described that in the period of the Companions
of the Prophet the commandments of the Qur’an
were cared for while the wordings - in which it
was recited - were not given much care. This
phrase is not based on its obvious meaning for it
will then give birth to a serious question: that is
how the Qur’an could be understood while
neglecting its words. Therefore, some scholars
have based this on the hypocrites of that period,
who would recite the Hoy Qur’an in a melodious
voice but failed to live up to its commandments
and injunctions.
Allama Suyuti has said this means the different
dialects of reciting the Qur’an as is seen today
for which the reciters do not care much for the
meanings while the Companions used to care
for the commandments more than the pretentious
dialects, by which they are recited to draw the
4
attention of the admirers to themselves but do
not live their lives according to the tenets of
Islam.
Maulana Sheikhul Hadith Khandhlawi has said
that the saying of Ibn Masud is based on the
majority of the people who were present in his
age, that is in that period generally the
companions tried to learn the necessary amount
of Tajweed to read the Qur’an correctly and
perfectly. They did not care much for the
delicacies of the dialects, except the amount that
was necessary. They directed all their energies
and paid full attention towards preserving the
commandments of the Holy Qur’an, its
understanding and true import of its words.
(Aujazul -Masalik: 2:217)
Abdullah Ibn Masud has shown by his
delineation that there will be a great disparity
between his generation and those following him
in the above-mentioned way.
In this age now we see that a lot of stress is
given on the recitation of the Qur’an in many
Islamic centres and Maktabs but people do not
care for the knowledge and understanding
contained in them which is the sole purpose of
the revelation of the Holy Qur’an to Prophet
Muhammad (saws).
An Important Note:
Here it must be understood that the hadith
does not show that it is bad to recite the Qur’an
in a perfect manner. In fact, the Holy Prophet
Muhammad (saws) laid great stress on this fact.
What is meant here in the words of Abdullah
Ibn Masud is that it is not good to ignore the
injunctions and understanding of the verse
pursuing to try to only recite it beautifully in a
way it has an entrancing effect on those who
hear it. Then, the people who gather for Salah
behind a Qari because of his distinction and fame,
which he attains by reciting the Holy Qur’an
August, 2008 ISLAMIC VISION
and there will be no interest in the laity to
understand its meanings and words and in this
way many of the Qur’anic injunctions will not
be followed; and the sum total of this effect is
that the listener will become a Muslim in name
and will not be known as a person who will
translate the Holy Qur’an in action in his daily
life.
Allama Zarqni has clarified: “Abdullah Ibn
Masud does not say that there was any defect
in the recitation of the people of his age or they
recited the Qur’an badly. What he said is that
the Fuqaha of his age were praiseworthy and
their attention was more directed towards
understanding the Qur’an than a mere recital of
the words for there was hardly anyone who read
the Qur’an without understanding it. The number
of those who understood the Qur’an was far
more in his age than the generations that were
going to follow him. It is very difficult for a person
not learning the Qur’an and its words to draw
conclusions from it. And, the person who has
not studied the Holy Qur’an may not be called
a Faqih. It is also impossible for Abdullah Ibn
Masud who occupied a great place among the
Companions of the Prophet Muhammad (saws)
in the recitation of the Holy Qur’an to praise the
Companions with regard to their recitation of
the Qur’an in a voice, which did not do justice
to the majesty of the Holy Qur’an. It has also
been repeated time and again in numerous ahadith
that reciting the Holy Qur’an and memorizing it
is one of the highest virtues that can be possessed
by a Muslim. It is impossible to find faults in
others who recite the Holy Qur’an. Therefore it
was necessary to put the saying of Abdullah Ibn
Masud in the right context.” (Sharh Zarqni
Muwatta, 1:500)
In brief, Abdullah Ibn Masud wanted to show
through his statement the fact that the later
generations will have a less understanding of the
Qur’an and will focus all their attention on the
5
recitation of its words. He never meant that his
statement was to find faults in those who recite
the Qur’an in a perfect manner.
The Crowd of Beggars:
Another difference he has shown that in his
times those who gave were more than those who
received. However, those who receive and beg
will be more in number than those who will give
in the forthcoming generations. Nowadays, we
see around us a large crowd of beggars
especially in cities and large towns who present
a disgusting scene to the travellers. There are a
few people who give something to them to fulfil
their needs. There was a period of time in the
past that people felt ashamed of begging despite
their poverty and needs. Those who wanted to
give something in charity had to hunt for people
who had the right to receive them. And,
nowadays people are begging from others in
innovative ways only to increase their wealth and
not driven by poverty or need. Begging has
become a profession. There is a section in the
human society that trains its children in the field
of begging. When on one side there is the
disgusting scene of beggars, we see at the same
time another group of beggars more civilized and
sophisticated than them on the other side. They
are the rich and so-called prosperous people of
our community who possess a lot of wealth but
they ask the guardians of the girls a lot of things
in dowry while this is declared clearly as Haram
in the Islamic Shariah. In many ahadith the
Messenger of Allah (saws) has condemned the
habit of begging and declared it as a very heinous
habit. In a hadith the Messenger of Allah said:
“The person who asks from people will be
raised on the Day of Resurrection with his face
having no piece of flesh on it.” (Bukhari: 1281,
Muslim: 1724, Nasai: 2538, Ahmad: 4409)
But, it is a pity that we see the large number
of civilized beggars with the uncivilized group of
beggars. This was quite unimaginable in the past.
August, 2008 ISLAMIC VISION
On the other hand, those who give to the
beggars, orphans, widows or needy ones, they
give them with an insulting way puffed up with
self-importance that they are doing a favour to
them when they are doling out charity, and strut
around proudly with a vulgar display of their
wealth; while the Companions of the Prophet
would seek the needy ones and they were
greatly obliged if they accepted their charity.
Long Khutbah and Short prayer
The third comparison shown by him between
his generation and that following it is that the
Khutbah will be lengthened and the prayers will
be shortened by the succeeding generations
while the fact in the former generation was that
their prayers were lengthened but their Khutbas
were short.
Quite obviously, Prayer is the most important
form of worship while the sermons are only
designed as a direction and admonition to the
congregation in order to urge people towards
prayers and good actions; and to avoid what
was wrong and enjoin the right in the Islamic
Shariah. If the major part of the time is taken by
the Imams to deliver the Khutbah, there will not
remain much time for the Prayers, which is the
original worship. Therefore the Messenger of
Allah (saws) has said, “The length of the prayer
of the person and the shortness of the Khutbah
is a sign of his understanding the religion of
Islam.” (Muslim)
Earlier, this was practiced by the Companions
but nowadays this rule is violated. Most of the
time is spent in lectures and sermons and the
people too are ready to listen to them. But, if
the prayer is lengthened, they start to complain.
They consider the sermons as a purpose to
increase their knowledge of Islam while they are
just a part of the main worship.
6
 Desires will be preferred to practice
The forth comparison drawn by him is that
people will start to prefer their desires to the
practice of Qur’an in action. In this hadith,
perhaps the lawful desires have been mentioned
in which case the hadith means that the
Companions of the Prophet (saws) directed
all their energies in fulfilling good deeds rather
than fulfilling their own desires. Trading, eating,
drinking, having wives and children are all lawful
desires. But they always competed with each
other while performing good actions despite
their desires and mortal needs. Allah (swt) says
in the Holy Qur’an describing this excellent
quality of the Companions: “Men whom neither
trade nor business diverts from the
remembrance of Allah or from performing the
Salah or from giving the Zakah. They fear a
Day when hearts and eyes will be overturned.”
(24:37)
Abdullah Ibn Abbas and Abdullah Ibn Umar
reported that this verse was revealed about the
people attending marketplace and businesses,
who would abandon their business immediately
on listening to the voice of Adhan without any
delay to join the congregational Prayers. Once,
Abdullah Ibn Umar went to the market. In the
meantime, the time for Prayers had approached.
He saw people rushing to the mosques closing
their shops and businesses. He said that the verse
was revealed about this particular group of
people. (Tafseer At-Tabri, 332, Ad-Durr al-
Manthoor, 6:207)
It appears in a hadith that there lived two
companions in the life of the Prophet. One of
them was a trader while the other was a
craftsman i.e. an ironsmith. The condition of the
first Companion was that if the sound of Adhan
came into his ears while weighing, he would put
down the scales on ground and immediately go
to the mosque for the prayer. The condition of
the other companion was that if he were to strike
the hot iron and during this process he heard
Adhan, he would put off the hammer from his
hand and go straight for the Prayers. Allah (swt)
while praising their actions revealed this verse.
This was the condition of the Companions and
nowadays the people are pursuing not only Halal
but Haram desires and lusts setting aside their
Obligatory Prayers and other actions. In the first
generation of the Islamic Ummah, if someone
heard Adhan he would immediately make haste
to go for Prayers, but nowadays people are
ignoring the Islamic injunctions on trivial matters
and lame excuses. Keeping all these points in
our minds, we should all do our best to correct
ourselves, our brothers and sisters, our
community and the Ummah in general.

The Story of Juraij

Abu Hurairah narrated that the Messenger of Allah said, “There was a man among
the tribe of Israel called Jurayj who used to pray. His mother came to him and called
him and he refused to answer her. He said, ‘Shall I answer her or prayer?’ Then she
came to him and said, ‘O Allah, do not let him die without having looked into the face
of a prostitute!’ Jurayj was in his hermitage and a woman said, ‘I will seduce Jurayj.’
She displayed herself to him and spoke to him, but he refused. She went to a shepherd
and offered herself to him. She gave birth to a boy. She said, ‘It is by Jurayj.’ They
went to him and pulled down his hermitage, brought him out of it and abused him. He
did wudu’ and prayed. Then he went to the boy and said, ‘Who is your father, boy?’ He
said, ‘The shepherd.’ They said, ‘We will build your hermitage out of gold.’ He said.
‘No, from mud.’ (Bukhari: 2350)

August, 2008 ISLAMIC VISION 7

 E DITORIAL

Let us build an Amicable atmosphere!

G
od is not despaired of man and His bounties and munificence are being showered on
the world as before. Every drop of rain, which falls from heaven on earth is a symbol
of His unending faith in the future of mankind. The land, sun, moon and all other
creation are performing their assigned functions. The universe is a wonderful manifestation of the
power of Divine Creation – look at a flower, a leaf, a blade of grass, peep into anything and you
will find rare beauty and perfect order in it. But the best of all creations is man and everything else
has been directed to serve him. It is an indication of God’s love for mankind.
But the attitude of some of us towards mankind suffers from apathy and indifference. An eminent
poet has said that every birth of a newborn child is an indication that God is not yet disappointed
in man. But man appears to be disillusioned at the lack of purpose of life is considered of no
importance. Thus we unwittingly prove what the angels said when Allah declared His intention to
create man: “And when Thy Lord said unto the angels: Lo! I am about to place a vice-regent in the
earth, they said: Wilt Thou place therein one who will do harm and will shed blood. We hymn Thy
praise and sanctify Thee. He said: surely I know that which you know not.” (Surah al-Baqarah:
30)
Allah addressed the angels and said, you do not know the inherent qualities of man which I
know. He has immense knowledge which the vastness of seas cannot match. He has gleam of love
in his bright eyes which you do not possess. He has the tenderness of heart and feels hurt at the
distress of others as you do not experience these emotions.” Allama Iqbal has very aptly expressed
the same sentiments in the following couplet:
O, Gabriel! Do not imitate my ways of meditation and ecstasy,
Prayers, chaplet and circumambulation are best for easygoing angles.
The most precious possession with man are his qualities of love and mercy and a drop of tear
which he sheds when he sees an indigent man or a widow or an orphan without visible means of
support. Unfortunately we have also not realized the true worth of this drop of tear:
(Man has been endowed with such tears
The glow of which puts the stars to blush)
A person devoid of a feeling of sympathy of his less fortunate fellow-men is no better than an
animal. Irrespective of the magnitude of material possession, the country is poor if it is morally

August, 2008 ISLAMIC VISION 8

degenerate. It is man who feels disconsolate. His heart bleeds at the woes of others and deprived
of this tender feeling it is worse than a piece of stone.
It was the merciful heart of Prophet Muhammad (saws) that after the Battle of Badr when the
prisoners’ hands were tied with ropes, he was so perturbed on hearing their groans that he could
not sleep that night. While leading the prayers if he heard the cries of a child he could cut short the
prayer to lessen the agony of their mother.
But we do not prove by our behaviour that the underprivileged brethren are our equal and really
a part of a whole. This tendency in man’s behaviour with his fellow-being does not augur well for
the future of humanity. The conflict between man and man and the inhuman ways with which the
basic rights of some are trampled by the rich and the powerful show in no uncertain terms that the
real enemy resides within man and the danger to the well-being of mankind is from within. It is not
prudent to shut our eyes from the general welfare of humanity and it is necessary to save the
society from the muddle in which it has landed.
Just as the bridegroom is the central figure in marriage procession and without her the entire
pomp and show has no meaning, similarly man’s place in the scheme of creation is comparable
with that of the bridegroom in the afore said procession. Without man the whole panorama of
creation pales into insignificance.
It is regrettable that the main consideration with most of the people is to amass wealth by any
means. Of course, there are some persons who are motivated by consideration of their community
or nation. But such persons are in microscopic minority who rise above the limitations of bellicose
nationalism and derive inspiration from the wide-ranging concept of humanity. The glorious Qur’an
has drawn a vivid picture of the conditions which would prevail on the Day of Judgment. We see
a glimpse of it from the mounting number of self-seekers in the world these days:
“On the day a man fleeth from his brother, and his mother and his father and his wife and his
children. Every man that day will have concern enough to make him heedless (of others).” (Surat-
ul-Abasa: 34-37)
We have forgotten the real worth of man: When there are rail accidents then instead of helping
the unfortunate victims, the people remove their watches, wallets and other valuables.
Then these recurrent disturbances are another symptom of the deep-seated malaise in the society.
We cannot ignore them except at the risk of our own peril.
The dignity of man has been emphasized by Prophet Muhammad (saws) in a Tradition which
runs: Allah (mighty and sublime be He) will say on the Day of Resurrection: ‘O son of Adam, I fell
ill and you visited Me not.’ He will say: ‘O Lord, and how should I visit You when You are the
Lord of the worlds?’ He will say: ‘Did you not know that My servant So-and-so had fallen ill and
you visited him not? Did you not know that had you visited him you would have found Me with
him? O son of Adam, I asked you for food and you fed Me not.’ He will say: ‘O Lord, and how

August, 2008 ISLAMIC VISION 9

should I feed You when You are the Lord of the worlds?’ He will say: ‘Did you not know that My
servant So-and-so asked you for food and you fed him not? Did you not know that had you fed
him you would surely have found that (the reward for doing so) with Me? O son of Adam, I asked
you to give Me to drink and you gave Me not to drink.’ He will say: ‘O Lord, how should I give
You to drink when You are the Lord of the worlds?’ He will say: ‘My servant So-and-so asked
you to give him to drink and you gave him not to drink. Had you given him to drink you would
have surely found that with Me.”
The great warriors like Alexandara, Darious, Chengiz, Halagu, Hitler etc, who indiscriminately
massacred mankind were ignorant of the real value of man. They forgot how a young man is
brought up, the sacrifices that are made by the parents and the hard work put in by the teachers
from his early childhood to adolescence when he becomes the center of hope and aspirations for
the family. If they had any realization of these hard facts they would not come out to kill any man.
They also forgot that such killing and plunder recoil on the perpetrators and invite the wrath of
God.
If we have love and respect for humanity, it should compel us to do something and try to stop all
such inhuman activities. Those who carry any influence with the public should give up their prestigious
occupations and come out to save the society from the chaos towards which it is steadily moving.
If the society is not saved in time, the government, democracy and universities will eventually find
themselves in the prevailing disorder.
It is necessary to develop a human outlook first. There should be an awakening in this
regard and a keen desire for the welfare of human beings.
The most important task of the intelligentsia today is to create an awareness for and restore the
dignity of man. What is the purpose behind this creation? What are his functions and responsibilities
towards himself and others? These are the questions over which every one of us has to think
seriously and chalk out the course in the light of divine Guidance. There should be no incidence of
oppression and persecution, which we witness at frequent intervals. They have to be stopped
once for all. They tarnish the fair image of our country.
It has been experienced that the scourge of God strikes at the place where iniquity and tyranny
are perpetrated. It is also to be kept in mind that the destructive forces of nature are infinitely more
devastating than man can think of.
We have raised our love in the prevailing confusion with the expectation that right-thinking persons
who are pained at these conditions may join hands with us to save the society from utter chaos
before it is too late. (This editorial is based on a lecture given by late Maulana Abul Hasan Ali
Nadvi)
SHUAIBULLAH KHAN

August, 2008 ISLAMIC VISION 10

 Sighting the Moon
T
he information, which is provided for
us by modern science has led to a
speculation in certain circles of
Muslim society-its intelligentsia - and the
support given to their arguments by sections
of secular media has created in the minds of
Muslims - the educated ones - the inspiration
that the days of Eid and Ramadan should both
be celebrated at one time in every part of the
world. The beginning of the Month of Ramadan
should also be celebrated at one time across
the word. Some of them opine that if it is not
all across the world, then at least, it should be
done collectively in all areas of one country.
Those Muslims who support this kind of
thinking argue that the modern scientific tools,
which are available at our disposal in the fields
of mass communication and information, have
made all these things quite possible. The news
of a country may easily be conveyed to another
without much problem.
On the face of it, there is little room left in
the minds of scientists that by adopting the
information, which is provided to us by the
modern astronomical facilities across the
world, and its findings, which are extremely
accurate, should be accepted. However, there
are two important points to be considered in
this regard: firstly, is it possible that the Day of
Eid and the period of Ramadan can be
celebrated on same days all over the world?
Quite obviously, this is impossible for the
distances between East and West are so vast
that if there is Friday somewhere, some other
areas have Thursday while a third area has
the beginning of Saturday. Considering all these
differences it is quite impractical to celebrate
August, 2008 ISLAMIC VISION
SHUAIBULLAH KHAN
Ramadan and Eid on any given single period
of time. Therefore, unity or conformity should
only be observed when it is possible, with the
findings of modern science of astronomy, which
agree totally with the reality of the revolution
and rotations of the sun and the moon as equal
in every part of the world.
Secondly, the purpose behind Eid and
Ramadan in Islam is not that it should be
celebrated on the same period. If they are
celebrated on a single period of time that is
okay, otherwise there is no problem that the
day of Eid and Ramadan are observed at
different periods of time. No doubt, in the
period of the Holy Prophet there was not such
a facility of news media and information could
not be obtained as easily as it is done in the
modern times, and subsequently it was not an
easy task to collect all the news from
surrounding areas. However, it was not a
difficult thing for him to collect the information
from neighbouring areas about sighting the
moon. But it is not reported in any Hadith that
the Messenger of Allah and his Companions
ever cared for this fact. Is it not a clear proof
that it is not necessary to pay any much
attention to this new controversy created by
Muslim community who are diehard scientists?
Imam Muslim has narrated in his Sahih the
incident of the Companions in the following
manner:
Kuraib reported: Umm Fadl, daughter of
Harith, sent me to Mu`awiya in Syria. I arrived
in Syria, and attended to her needs that she
wanted me to do on her behalf. It was there in
Syria that it was announced the Month of
11
Ramadan had commenced. I saw the new moon
(of Ramadan) on Friday. I then came back to
Madinah al- Munawwarah at the end of the
month. Abdullah Ibn 'Abbas asked me (about
the new moon of Ramadan) and said: When did
you see it? I said: We saw it on the night of
Friday. He said: (Did) you see it yourself? I said:
Yes and the people also saw it and they observed
fast and Mu`awiya also observed fast,
whereupon he said: But we saw it on the night of
Saturday. So we will continue to observe fasting
until we complete thirty (fasts) or we see it (the
new moon of in the Month of Shawwal). I said:
Is the sighting of the moon by Mu`awiya not valid
for you? He said: No; this is how the Messenger
of Allah (saws) has commanded us.” (Muslim)
No doubt it may be argued that the above
incidents have different perspectives. Perhaps,
Ibn Abbas (ra) did not accept the sighting of the
people of Syria keeping in view the distance and
difference between the horizons between
Madinah and Syria. It is also possible that he
did not accept only the witness of Kuraib for the
reason that the witness of the single person is
not reliable in case of sighting the moon.
However, it may easily be known from the above
report that they did not pay too much attention
to this fact, while the fact is that it was not difficult
for the people of Madinah to send some people
to Syria to bring the news of the sighting the
moon. It clearly shows that it is not a matter of
great significance in Islam. Some people argue
that it was not possible in those days to bring
information from far-flung areas for the reason
that they did not have sufficient tools of media
and transmitting of information as we have in the
twenty-first century; and therefore, they were not
too much particular with this matter. The answer
to this doubt has been provided by Mufti
Muhammad Shafi. He says:
"Though, there were not planes, radios and
telephones in those times; however, the fast
camels (dromedaries) were available, which
August, 2008 ISLAMIC VISION
were quite capable of bringing news from distant
areas. But the Messenger of Allah (saws) did
not like it. He did not dispatch any person on
fast camels from Makkah to Madinah or Rabigh
to bring news. This task was not very much
difficult after Syria and Egypt had been
conquered. It was a very easy task for him to
bring news and witness at any time from
different parts to Madinah at the beginning of
Ramadan and the Day of Eid but we never
come across any proof that shows that the
Prophet or his Companions ever considered
this matter significant to merit and occupy all
their attention, or obsessed with this fact."
(Aalaat-e-Jadeeda-ke-Shari-Ahkaam: 174)
In brief, we must not spend much effort in
order to observe Ramadan and Eid on one
period in any given area. However, there is no
problem if we should try for synchronization
without exaggeration using the modern
information system and communication media
that are available at our disposal in a limited
way.
Discovering News about sighting moon
from other cities
What would happen when it is a fact that if
the moon is not sighted in the particular city
and then it is sighted in a nearby city? Quite
obviously, it is not necessary to be too anxious
over this issue. The Messenger of Allah (saws)
and his Companions did not mark their sightings
from other areas or towns while the fact is that
they had the facilities of transport according to
their time. This fact clearly shows that it is not
obligatory to discover the news about sighting
the moon from other towns and cities. The
Messenger of Allah (saws) has clearly guided
the Muslims, "Start fasting on sighting the moon
and stop on sighting it. However, if it is hidden
from you, then you should complete the period
of thirty days." (Mishkat174)
When we reflect upon this hadith deeply, it
12
gives us the clear meaning that it is not obligatory
to seek news from other areas or towns. It
would be proper for us if we have been guided
in the case of the sighting of a new moon, which
was not sighted by others to complete the period
of fasting for thirty days in the Holy Month of
Ramadan. We have not been urged by the
Islamic Shariah to make enquiries or discoveries
about it from others.
Maulana Ashraf Ali Thanwi comments
answering to such a question: "Since no
command is proven without any proof, it is not
necessary to bring information from other cities
for there is no proof in this regard. However, it
is lawful to seek information from other cities
because we don't have any proof too disallow
this fact as well." (Imdad-Al-Fatawa, 1:102)
Use of Modern instruments for making
enquiries about the Moon
It is lawful to use modern information
instruments like radio, television, wireless
system, and telephone etc. for making enquiries
about sighting the moon for these are the
blessings of Allah to human beings, which He
has created for the benefits of His servants.
Therefore, it is not totally wrong to utilize them
rather it is approved to benefit from them, while
harbouring a sense of thanks to Allah, the
Almighty, for placing them to use at their
disposal. However, it must be borne in mind that
these modern instruments must not be used in
disobedience or obstinacy against the wishes of
Allah (swt) and His Prophet Muhammad (saws).
Therefore, it is good to use the modern
information devices in order to make enquires
about the moon without violating any principle
of the Islamic Shariah. For example, the news
brought from these instruments could be reliable
with regard to the moon of Ramadan. And, the
news which is brought from them in case of Eid
may not be reliable for it is necessary in this case
to have a witness and these instruments may only
August, 2008 ISLAMIC VISION
impart to us news but they may not be regarded
as witnesses in Islamic affairs. Therefore, it is
not lawful to insist on the fact that the news
obtained from these instruments must be
accepted for they run contrary to the principles
of the Shariah.
In brief, these instruments may only by used
and utilized when other Islamic principles are
not violated.
Sighting the Moon and the Modern
Instruments
The modern age has the facilities, and the
technical know-how with many new inventions
and discoveries to its credit. Among them are
some devices that maximize the magnitude of
the distant things as well as minimize them. In
the same way, there are some modern
technological inventions through which one can
fly into the space and observe and inspect its
contents there which cannot be seen from any
part on this earth. When you have known this, it
comes naturally in your mind whether it is lawful
or appropriate to use them for the purpose of
the sighing of the moon?
It is quite obvious that using of modern
instruments like telescopes or planes for this
purpose is not obligatory. The extent, which is
obligatory, is that one should try to sight the
moon by the natural method as it was done in
the case of the Prophet Muhammad and his
erstwhile Companions. If it is sighted easily then
it is all right for us to start fasting for the Month
of Ramadan, and when it is again sighted in the
first of the Month of Shawwal, then we celebrate
the Eid. Otherwise, one should fast until the
period of thirty days is completed for him and
his immediate community and celebrate the Eid
on the next day. This fact guides us to the fact
that we are only ordered by Allah to complete
thirty days if the moon is not sighted. We are
not commanded to climb the mountains or to fly
in planes or to use telescopes to make a
13
discovery about the sighting of the moon.
Neither, are we ordered to use geometry to
calculate its ascent and descent on the horizon
or the science of astronomy to substantiate its
sightings.
Keeping the above hadith in view, Maulana
Mufti Muhammad Shafi notes, "If your eyes
could not sight the moon, you should not be
greatly troubled over this fact to know the fact
and use alternative methods based on
astronomical calculations or using telescopes.
What the Prophet (saws) has said is that you
should complete the period of thirty days in case
it is not sighted."
Ibn Hajar comments: "The obvious context
of the hadith indicates that one should not
depend in this case on calculations for we are
simply ordered to complete the period of thirty
days. The Messenger of Allah (saws) did not
order us to ask the astronomers to learn and
verify it." (Fath Al-Bari, 4:127)
All these accounts clearly lead us to the fact
that it is not obligatory to use modern
instruments or astronomical calculations in order
to enquire about the moon. In the same way, it
is not approvable or Mustahabb. At the best if
all this process is done in the limits of the Shariah
it will be called as lawful. It is quite wrong to
think that in the days of the Holy Prophet (saws)
there were no ways for the people to measure
the rising or setting of the moon. The overzealous
Muslims only had to keep count of the number
of days and nights to arrive at the magic figure
of when the Month of Ramadan should begin
and when it should end. It would have been as
simple as that! It was not necessary for them to
bring the moon into the picture to celebrate their
holy months and days.
Encyclopaedia Britannica also confirms that
the subject of astronomy was known since
ancient times which were conducted by those
interested in it, who invested their money into
August, 2008 ISLAMIC VISION
it, and experiments are conducted even today
by experts who work in universities or institutions
organized by the governments of the world or
by individuals. The astronomy was also
encouraged at a government level since ancient
times. The religious leaders and other high
ranking officials of the early times were kept
extremely busy in astronomical calculations in
order to define the weather and fix the calendar
and reflect on the omens of the moons."
(Encyclopaedia Britannica, 2: 346)
Gorge Sorten writes in his preface for the
History of Science, "The astronomy of
Babylonia is known since ancient times. It is
presumed that the West has obtained the
knowledge of astronomy from this center. He
further writes that seven days of the week, two
rounds of twelve hours of the day, the sixty
divisions of the angle had all been observed and
clarified by the astronomical experts of
Babylonia on the basis of the moons, their rising
and setting, three thousand years before the birth
of Christ.
The scholars of Encyclopedia Britannica have
absolutely confirmed the idea that the subject of
astronomy was known in the world since ancient
times. The comments of Sorten reveal the fact
that this science was well-developed in
Babylonia three thousand years before the birth
of Jesus Christ. This is quite different that this
subject was in its primary stages in those days.
However, it may safely be claimed that many
developments had been made in this field were
filed and are extant for the astronomers of today
to establish the scientific knowledge of
astronomy by their predecessors. And, some
ancient astronomical observatories too have
been found by archaeologists excavating ancient
ruins in different parts of the world.
Maulana Mufti Muhammad Shafi notes:
“Those who are aware of the history of world
know that the subject of astronomy was known
14
and practiced many years before the period of
the Prophet (saws). Even in the life of the Holy
Prophet many observatories had been
established in Egypt, Syria and India." (Ruyat-
e-Hilal: 15)
As for as using the modern instruments are
concerned, Mufti Muhammad Shafi has given
the answer to this question too. He explains,
"We accept that there were no planes in the life
of the Prophet (saws) but there was the
mountain of Sila standing in Madinah with some
population living along with the mountain of
Uhud. Makkah was surrounded by the
mountains. The mountains of Safa and Marwah
and Abu Qubais were adjacent to the City of
Makkah. But we never came across any proof
that tells us in the period of the Holy Prophet
(saws) or his rightly guided Caliphs that some
people were dispatched to climb on these
mountains for the sighting of the moon." (Alalat-
e-Jadeeda: 174)
In brief, the natural system adopted by the
Messenger of Allah (saws) and his Companions
with regard to sighting the moon is the best
method, which could be easily followed even
today and for all time to come. Therefore,
neither it is obligatory nor Mustahabb to benefit
from the modern instruments and the
astronomical calculations in this regard.
It is possible that those who subscribe to the
modernist thinking and consider the modern
instruments as the need of the hour may entertain
the idea that Islam does not allow using these
devices in order to discover the moon which is
completely a stereotyped idea. But, those who
have keen insight and better understanding of
the Shariah are well aware of the fact that this
command of Islam is highly reasonable and
based on a great wisdom.
We may give the detail by explaining that
Islam is a universal religion which cuts across
August, 2008 ISLAMIC VISION
all national, linguistic or geographical boundaries.
This religion of Islam was sent by Allah for each
and every individual of the world. The commands
of Islam are not only designed for those who
know astronomy, and have modern instruments
at their disposal; and neither the people who are
living in cities leading their luxurious lives and
enjoying in their modern villas and posh
apartments in developed cities. There are many
people who are completely ignorant of
astronomy or they don't have the modern
devices. Many people live in sparse, small
villages, mountains and far-flung areas and
constitute tiny populations and some of them are
Muslims who live in their midst.
If we proclaim using the modern devices and
astronomy as obligatory for all Muslims it will
be very difficult for us to follow this command
even in this sophisticated and developed world
of ours. The poor people and backward classes
in this case will lose this privilege or they will be
committing a great sin by not following an
obligatory act. In this way, the backward people
will lag behind the rich people in the matter of
religious worship. Quite obviously, this difference
is contrary to the Islamic spirit. Therefore, Islam
has laid down subtle principles, and natural ways
for the human beings, so that all classes of people
may easily follow them without any difficulty.
However, those who have these instruments or
are well versed in the subject of astronomy, they
can utilize them under the limits of the Islamic
Shariah. Now, one can think how excellent
quality of Islam is the method of sighting the
moon? But it is a great pity that the modernist
class existing among the Muslims is not ready to
accept this as one of the beautiful qualities of
Islam in spite of the numerous well-placed
arguments, which go against their grain of self-
invented thoughts. 
15
 (Last Part)
Islam and the Western Society
(A Unique Study on Islam, Science, and Spirituality)
Establishment of Islamic Centers in America
When the establishments of Islamic centers in
America happened it sparked some reactions.
The people started to rent churches, purchase
their own lands and then establish Islamic
centers. In 1980s, a rapid establishment of Islamic
centers took place in America where Sunday
schools and religious classes were organized and
the classes on education of the Qur'an were
arranged. In this way, Islamic activities started
to gain momentum.
Activities of the Muslim Youth in America
Now a great change is taking place in 1990s.
In some cities, the Muslims have managed to
establish their own colleges. In Chicago, the
Muslims have constructed two universities on
their own, which are no doubt, of great benefit.
Once I performed the prayer of Zuhr in Chicago
University. After that, I delivered a talk before
the gathering of the students on the subject "the
Prophetic Sunnah and the Modern Science". By
the grace of Allah, many students gave me a
pledge of allegiance there. And, later their lives
changed a full-circle. They even made some
surprising sacrifices.
Once I went to pray in a particular mosque.
The prayer of Zuhr was attended by some one
hundred fifty youths including children and the
elderly. I asked one of them: "Is this a particular
time that one hundred fifty people are assembled
in a single mosque in this American environment?"
He answered, "No." The Muslims in this country
have schools and colleges of their own. Our
children obtain their education under Muslim
teachers who teach them as Muslims. Therefore,
you will find a kind of spiritual light in their
August, 2008 ISLAMIC VISION
MAULANA ZULFIQAR AHMAD NAQSHBANDI
foreheads and faces for they perform their five
daily prayers regularly. I myself saw that many
youths grew their beards in the bloom of their
youth and some of them wore turbans over their
heads. Some of the youths have organized a group
for the purpose of giving Qur'anic classes. When
I saw all these activities, I was overjoyed. In the
future, these youths will be a great source of
strength for the Muslims of America. Not only in
Chicago but also in Georgia, Atlanta, many
Muslim schools have been founded by Muslims.
Another school has been built in Washington. In
California, a university has been constructed by
the Muslims through whose services the Muslim
generations could mould their lives according to
the Islamic teachings. There has emerged such
a great change in this country that the Muslim
youth today engage their neighbours and locals
in debates and discussions on Islam. A single child
becomes the reason for eight or ten people to
convert to Islam.
The story of an Englishman converting
to Islam
Once, I received a visit from a young boy. He
came to me and said, "Tomorrow, I will bring to
you a friend of mine whose parents are
disbelievers. I continued to discuss with him about
Islam for quite a few days. As a result, he is now
convinced and wants to recite the Shahadah.
When could you give the time to him so that he
could embrace Islam on your hands?" My eyes
overflowed with tears and I said, "No matter,
whether it is a day or night, if one wants to recite
Shahadah, I am ready to spare my time for him
at any period. I was enormously delighted to
discover that the children of this country are
16
representing Islam, and conveying its religious
message to others. To my mind, it is more
important to erect Islamic schools, colleges and
universities than establishing mosques for prayers
may be performed at any place of school and
college. But if these people are schooled in the
local secular institutions and colleges, the learning
imparted to them in the mosques will be destroyed
by the secular institutions. By the Grace of Allah,
this need has been fulfilled by the Muslim
community in this country, America.
A Golden Principle
We must bear in our minds the principle that
if the teacher is a disbeliever he will make the
students a disbeliever like him though he is
teaching him the Holy Qur'an. On the other hand,
if the teacher is a Muslim he will be able to
protect the students from disbelief though he is
teaching him the Bible. A teacher plays a very
critical role in shaping the mentality of a student.
The Conversion of a Young Boy to Islam
I had a friend, who was professionally a
medical doctor. He had a son who was highly
intelligent. At the same time, he was extremely
religious. He was fond of performing Umrah
each year. At the same time, he would force her
mother and other family members to accompany
him during this minor pilgrimage (Umrah). He
always studied Islam. After a period of time he
turned an infidel. His father brought him to me
and said, "This son of mine has now turned an
infidel. He is now out of the fold of Islam for he
does not believe in it."
I told him to sit down and then asked, "What
is the matter?" He answered, "I will be quite clear
in my talk. In fact, I had a teacher who was a
non-Muslim. First of all, he tried to convince me
about the truth of Judaism but I was not
persuaded. When he saw me that I did not
convert to Judaism and I still remained as a
devout Muslim, he started to instill in me the
theory of Darwinism, the theory of evolution. He
made my mind so baffled through the theories of
Darwin that I turned an infidel." I said to him,
"You can ask me all the questions that bother
August, 2008 ISLAMIC VISION
your mind. We have three hours of time until the
next prayer." Then he started to explain the theory
of Darwin. He asked me many questions
regarding this. By the grace of Allah, I could
answer to all of his doubts. At the same time, I
kept on praying for him concentrating on him with
all my spiritual attention. I had given him three
hours' time. But it was the sole grace of Allah,
the Almighty that after a discussion of fifteen
minutes he requested me, "Please make me a
Muslim by reciting the words of Shahadah."
After getting out of the room, he performed
his ablution and then started to pray before the
eyes of his father. His father began to weep out
of sheer delight in such a way that words fail to
describe his emotions at that time. He had found
a new son. All over again, happiness was seen in
his house. Then, the prayers his father made for
his son cannot be clothed in phrases.
Three Interesting Questions
Once, I had the opportunity of examining
some Muslim children in an Islamic center by an
oral test. All the students of the center were
science students of the graduate classes. I put
three questions before each student. One of the
students was in the company of his young brother
who was about eight or nine years old. When he
came before me and sat down, I wondered as to
which question should be put before him. It was
purely by chance there was a table before me. I
asked, "Please tell me who made this table?" He
answered extemporaneously and interestingly,
"Sir, Allah gave man a brain and man used that
brain and he made this table." When he answered,
in this logical manner I was somewhat surprised
and then put another question before him, "Could
you tell me why you read the Qur'an? Do you
feel it is mandatory or it is interesting?" I wanted
to test the student through this question whether
he was given the lessons of the Qur'an forcibly
or he had learnt it all on his own. When I put this
question before him, he answered, "Sir, I feel it is
both, it is mandatory as well as it is very
interesting." I had never expected that he could
answer to this question in such an excellent
manner. Next, I asked him the third question and
17
said, "Could you tell me please what do you want
to be in your life?" He replied, "I want to become
the president of United States of America." When
he answered in this way, I immediately asked
him: "Why?" He replied, "Sir, I will be the first
Muslim president of America."
I was so much delighted with his answers. I
wondered when Allah has inspired the Muslim
children in such a way then it is not a far-fetched
speculation that one day a Muslim president will
ascend the throne of the superpower and will
impose the Islamic laws from there.
My friends, the youth of this country are like a
ray of hope. It is very delightful that the Muslims
of this country have managed to maintain their
identity, retain their culture and civilization and
as a result they are living their lives according to
Islam. It is possible that some day in the future
they would become a cause of preaching for the
local inhabitants and then the reason people
entering to the fold of Islam.
Preaching Islam in Prisons
America is witnessing another change. The
US government has permitted the Muslim
scholars to attend the prisons and preach Islam.
They were barred from this privilege in the past.
The reason is that the government of the country
is quite unable to reform the criminals and put
them on the right track. Therefore, it has
positively thought that if they convert to Islam
their lives may undergo serious change. For the
Muslims make decent citizens. Viewing this, the
government has allowed the Muslim scholars to
come to the prisons and preach the prisoners on
Islam. In this way, hundreds of prisoners are
converted to the religion of Islam.
Influence of Islam
I have a friend, who is an Islamic scholar.
Once I was having my meals at his home.
Meanwhile, he said that he went to the local
prisons on Sundays for preaching Islam. I asked
him, "Could you please give me some information
on this?" He said, "Every convert undergoes a
serious change in his life." He further said,
"Nowadays, a criminal has been housed in the
May, 2008 ISLAMIC VISION
prison who is sentenced for one year's
imprisonment out of which he has spent six months
and he has to still wait for the next six months
period. He converted to Islam, and learned the
way to perform prayers from me. Once while
we were sitting together he said to me, "I trust
you a lot. To tell you the truth, after embracing
Islam my life has changed a full circle." I said to
him, "That is what every convert goes through."
He said to me, "But the changes I feel in my life
are perhaps not shared by anyone else." I asked
him, "Why?" He answered, "I was completely an
animal in human form before converting to Islam
and now I am living my life as a human being." I
said to him, "My brother, could you please dwell
on this? Why are you talking to me in allusions
and indications?" He replied, "I was imprisoned
for a little crime for which I was sentenced for
one year, out of which six months have passed,
and then after the next six months, I will be
released. To tell you the truth, before converting
to Islam I was very much interested in killing
human beings. When I saw someone writhing and
blood oozing from his limbs, I took a great liking
to it. I have so far taken many lives by these hands.
Murder was a hobby for me. But after embracing
Islam, my heart has changed drastically that if I
ever walk and trample even over an ant which
dies, I would regret it a great deal."
By the Grace of Allah, many lives are going
through changes. May Allah give enough life to
see the banner of Islam unfurling from this country.
The Place of Prophet Muhammad to a
Swedish Muslim
Today, the people of Western countries like
Islam, but when they see our double dealing and
hypocrisy they refuse to become Muslims like us.
The Muslims of today have become a stumbling
block for others to convert.
Once I was on my journey to Sweden in 1992.
During those days, the government had carried
out a survey in which they listed some of the most
important personalities of the history. The list
contained great names like Darwin, Newton, Ion
Stine, Jesus Christ and Prophet Muhammad and
some other names besides them. The authorities
18
wanted through their survey to discover the fact
that which of these personalities was more
beloved and well liked by the people of Sweden.
I had myself read the newspapers when the
authorities publicized the computer results of the
public opinion of the Swedish masses. I was
struck to know that sixty-seven percent of the
population had voted Prophet Muhammad to be
the most loved and most liked personality.
The Story of a Devout Swedish Convert
In the same country, Sweden, where
nakedness, exhibitionism and immorality rein
supreme a man was destined to become a true
Muslim. He resolved to do every thing according
to the Sunnah method. Whenever he faced a new
question or problem, he immediately consulted
the Islamic scholars to know the Sunnah method
on the subject.
In that corrupt society, he would wear Khaddar
dresses and keep his trousers above the ankles.
Once he held an organized function in which I
was also invited by him. During that time, there
was also an Islamic scholar from Pakistan present
in Sweden who was also invited to the party. That
certain scholar said to him, "You could make your
trouser descend even lower." As he said these
words and he listened to them, he was livid with
rage. One cannot describe the length of his fury.
In an angry tone, he retorted, "You are a Muslim
by chance but I am a Muslim by choice." The
person who adopts Islam on the basis of his own
choice has a great amount of religious enthusiasm,
passion and fervor for his religion.
The Story of a Swedish Young boy
converting to Islam
Once while I was in Lahore, I was obliged to
travel overseas. One day before the journey
someone called me and said, "I want to meet you."
I said to him, "I am going abroad tomorrow, so I
am busy getting prepared for the journey." He
replied, "I have come from a foreign land only to
meet you." When he said these words, I gave
him the permission and told him to come to meet
me.
After a short while, he came to me by taxi.
August, 2008 ISLAMIC VISION
The way he got off from the taxi and the way he
walked, talked, met, sat down all left me
perplexed. He was such a handsome man, a
person of polite manners that I had never seen a
man like him in my life. While introducing himself
to me, he told me that he was from Sweden. He
said, "Before some time, I thought that I also must
have a religion to profess. I have studied one
hundred twenty religions, practiced in the world.
After studying all these religions, I have come to
the conclusion that Islam is the only true religion.
So, I have converted myself to it."
Later I developed a strong desire to meet all
the great Islamic scholars around the world in
order to have a true knowledge and benefit from
their perfect guidance. In this way, I have come
to visit you.
My Conversation with a Christian Girl
from Australia
Once I happened to stay in Sydney, Australia.
During this period, a Christian girl asked me to
give her some time since she entertained some
questions regarding Islam which she wanted to
question me about the doubts she had in her mind
by interacting with me. So, I promised to give a
complete hour to her. First of all, she kept asking
me about the rising and second coming of the
Jesus Christ for an hour. Then she asked me about
the Day of Judgment followed by questions
regarding the Paradise and Hell. Finally, she
asked me a host of questions in details about the
Islamic religion. When she seemed to me that
she was satisfied, I asked her whether she had
any more doubts she wanted to be dispelled by
me. She answered, "I think Islam is a very
excellent religion." When she used the word
"excellent" for Islam, I understood that she would
most probably embrace Islam. Therefore, I asked
her, "Would you consider the idea of converting
to Islam?" She responded, "Is all that you have
told me about Islam present in the Qur'an?" I
answered, "Of course. That is the basic source,
indeed." She again asked me, "Do you have the
Qur'an?" I answered, "Yes, I have one." When I
showed her the Qur'an, she said to me, "I request
you to send the copies of this Great Scripture to
19
Muslim countries and enjoin them to modify and
mold their lives according to the teachings of this
Book."
Now could you tell me what answer I should
have given to her? My friends, if we make
ourselves as perfect Muslims and then present
Islam before the people, then it is most likely that
they will accept it. And then the banner of Islam
will be unfurling all over the world. Let us make
it the mission of our life.
First of all, we should start this mission with
our own selves. Now let us make a pledge to
ourselves that first of all we would impose the
Islamic laws on our own body. Once we change
our lives, Allah Almighty through the blessings of
our actions and practices, will change the lives
of all the people around the world.
The World- A Place of Test
When Allah created the human being, He
placed in him the capacity of doing both good
and evil. Satan was fated to invite and mislead
while the Prophets and Messengers of Allah were
destined to bring the humanity to the path of
righteousness and be God-fearing. For this
reason, this world has been termed as a place of
tests and trials. This is not a park to walk and
play in. It is a place of examination. It is totally
different that we have made this world a place
of enjoyment and merrymaking. Allah says in the
Holy Qur'an, "Blessed is He in Whose hand is
the Sovereignty, and, He is Able to do all things.
Who has created life and death that He may try
you which of you is best in conduct; and He is
the Mighty, the Forgiving." (67:1-2)
He has created life and death for the reason
that He knows those who do the good deeds and
who don't. He also says that He created the human
beings and then He put in their hearts the evil
and righteousness. Satan always stimulates us
towards evil and Allah always invites us towards
what is good. Now it is up to the human beings
which way to choose. If he walks on the path of
goodness, he will become successful and if he
walks on the path of Satan, he will be despaired,
disappointed and unsuccessful in the life of this
August, 2008 ISLAMIC VISION
world and in Hereafter.
Shahadah and the Story of a Non-Muslim
Once while I was on my foreign trips, a man
asked me, "Is a person entitled to enter the
Paradise only on the basis of reciting the Kalimah
of Shahadah?" I said, "Yes, Allah willing he will
enter the Paradise. If he had been a sinner, he
will be punished and at last will be admitted to
the Paradise " He again asked, "If a person does
not recite this Kalimah, then what?" I immediately
answered, "He will not be given his entry into
the Paradise." He again asked, "What about a
person who has done a considerable amount of
good things, was very generous and charitable.
For example, he invented the light bulb,
constructed guesthouses. Would he not go to the
Paradise?" I answered, "Even then he will not
enter the Paradise." He responded, "What a great
injustice? Does Islam not educate justice?" I
asked, "Why?" He said, "A person is evil and
wicked but he is given his Paradise only on the
basis of reciting a phrase but there is another
person who is righteous and has many good deeds
in his favor but he is thrown into the Hellfire." I
answered, "The principle is like that." He said,
"This principle goes contrary to the common
sense." I answered to him, "We are studying
geometry, for example, on which the sum total
of science completely rests about which we claim
that it is governed by the natural laws. Suppose
a person writes one number and then keeps
adding many zeros in its right sides, it
automatically will increase the value of the
number. On the other hand, if a person forgets to
add the number one or he omits it intentionally
and he only jots down many zeros in a row and
then he claims that he has noted down many
millions no one will accept his claim. The
multitude of zeros will not add to the value of the
number. It will be argued that these zeros make
any sense only in the presence of a number. Now,
no matter how many zeros you write down it will
make no sense. Just in the like manner, the person
who does not believe in the Oneness of Allah, all
his deeds and actions fall short of being of any
value like the zeros." Then he answered, "Your
20
argument seems sound and justified to me and his total trust in Him - no matter how horrible
now I am convinced." hardships that he has to overcome - he surrenders
I gave him another example to understand the himself to Allah. When he abandons his will and
matter. I explained, "The person who recites the gives himself to Allah all his mental burden is
Kalimah obviously believes in Allah as being the totally lessened or finished. For example, there is
Creator of this Universe, its Master, Sustainer a person whose house was set fire or his wife
and Supreme Being. This is just like that a person and children were burnt down or he had a fatal
lives in a certain country but he surrenders to its accident and now the people go to them to console
King. Though he continues to rebel or transgress, and he says, "Whatever Allah wishes does."
the king keeps punishing him according to his When he says, "Whatever Allah wills", he
transgressions or gives him warning but he still surrenders himself to Him and in this way he is
gives him the rights of citizenship in his country. protected from lunacy or psychological pressure.
On the contrary, a person rises in rebellion against Total belief in Allah and firm faith in His infinite
a certain king and he is not ready to surrender to power makes a person enjoy his life in a balanced
his kingdom, that king will never give him the manner. In this way, it becomes easy for him to
permission to live in his kingdom. Rather, he will avoid the guile of one's own soul and Satan.
give orders to strike off his head. Therefore, we The Question of a Communist and its
all should recite this Kalimah and believe in the answer
greatness of our Lord. In fact, this Kalimah is a A person once put forward an extremely
blessing for us, which gives us the true concept critical question to me. He was a communist. He
of God. questioned, "Why do you believe in Satan?"
The Reason why Europeans go mad
If a person in Europe suffers losses in his Answer: If we consider we have no obvious
business, he starts to bite his own hands and says answer for this question. Why do we believe in
that he did not take right decisions. He did not do Satan? What is the reason to have such belief?
such and such a thing. He attributes all the The questioner affirmed that the human beings
problems and misfortunes to himself. When he themselves do the good and the evil and then they
thinks of these problems as the result of his own attribute the evil deeds to Satan. Why do people
hands, he may lose they sobriety and mental believe in Satan? I explained this question to him
balance. It Is a surprising discovery that the city in the following manner: "Suppose, I go to the
of New York in the United States of America moon and discover that there is a Gulqand (rose
has more than one hundred mental hospitals. preserve or conserve of roses) then I will finally
However, we cannot say exactly, how many conclude that there must by a Gul (rose)
mental hospitals are in our country for our somewhere as well as Qand. And as a result both
countries have a very less amount of mental of them combined together became Gulqand. The
problems and lunacy. existence of Gulqand clearly shows the existence
The Basic reason for Madness of Gul and Qand. Wherever, there are combined
The basic reason for madness is that the materials or compounds, they clearly show the
concerned person attributes all the difficulties and existence of the individual elements. In the same
sufferings towards himself. For example, if the way, if water exists it is a proof that hydrogen
wife had herself divorced or jilted, one loses his and oxygen are also available. The existence of
mental faculties. If ones business stops water, in fact, reveals the availability of hydrogen
flourishing, one is overcome with an overpowering and oxygen. In the same way, the existence of
feeling which makes him mad. Gulqand shows that there is something which is
The Benefits of Belief in Allah completely "gul" and there is also available
something called "qand" and when these different
If a certain person believes in Allah and places elements were combined they become Gulqand.

August, 2008 ISLAMIC VISION 21

He said, "It seems to be true." I said, "In fact, the
human being is a combination of good and evil.
So, as a result this hypothesis shows that
something completely good is also available. It
also shows that there is something which is
completely evil, which we call as "Satan". The
human being is a combination of these two
factors, the Satan and the Angel."
A life without destination
When a person sees that his works are run
though money, he starts to amass wealth by hook
or by crook. This excessive love for wealth is
like chloroform, which is given to a certain person.
This wealth makes a person completely
unconscious as when a person is given chloroform
in which case he becomes unable to think
properly. The voice of a rich man has the sound
of jingling money for he sees that all the lawful
and unlawful things are achieved only by money.
Therefore, he always hankers after riches and
runs from pillar to post to achieve it. In fact, he
tries to achieve this to satisfy his ego and to gain
fame. In this way, he runs after official posts and
highly money-producing appointments. He
always thinks of building a villa unmatched
anywhere in the world. He always has the dream
of having the most wonderful wife, the most
excellent car and the most superb dress. In this
way, he always daydreams.
The life with dreams
Now, it is to be seen whether the human being
satisfies all these needs in accordance with the
commandments of Allah or he sets them aside
and fulfills his needs? It is generally seen that the
unbridled desires leave the human being blinded
and make him go astray although he has the
knowledge. Allah says, "Allah made him go astray
despite his knowledge." What is the meaning of
"going astray despite his knowledge"? Suppose
there is a person who smokes. He is well aware
of the harms done by cigarettes but he
admonishes the children not to smoke and says,
"Though I am accustomed to it you must not go
near it." This shows that the concerned person is
aware of the harms and forbids others. At the
same time, the cigarette producing company also
August, 2008 ISLAMIC VISION
gets it written on the pack, "Smoking is injurious
to health or smoking can kill you." The smoker
too knows the harms. But, he overpowered by
his habit again starts to smoke. This is what is
called "going astray despite knowledge". A person
knows something to be evil but he does it. That is
the fundamental difference between a discreet
and an indiscreet man, wise and unwise man.
A disciplined Life
When a good person comes to know about a
certain bad thing, he never comes near it although
he is enticed and if he considers a certain thing
to be good he does it though he is faced by
stumbling blocks. Therefore, a discreet and wise
person always has the habit of controlling himself
and keeping patient. If a person wants to be well
disciplined he should start this process with his
own person by imposing order on himself.
Discipline is something the Western world has
been researching on and affirming that it makes
one's life better and well-organized.
The Challenge of Sunnah
We are very much indebted to Allah, the
Almighty that He has given us the best way to
live our lives in this world which is unimaginable
anywhere in the world. It is my claim that the
way the Prophet took his meals there could not
be found any other way better than it. The way
he drank; nothing could be compared with it, the
way the Prophet slept that is no other way better
than it and so on. I myself put theses claims before
the highly educated intellectuals of the Western
countries and I challenged to them, "Could you
tell me any Sunnah of the Prophet which lacks
wisdom?"
Modern Science
The Sunnah methods of eating as told by the
Prophets are excellent. First of all, he always kept
some parts of his stomach free so that he should
not have the need to yawn. Secondly, he ate until
he had some hunger. Once the cutting edge in
his hunger vanished, he would refrain from taking
another meal until he could tolerate it no more.
The modern science today claims that if a date
goes inside the body of a human being, it creates
22
such a great amount of chlorates that a person
could not die of hunger within the period of three
days.
In fact, the amount of food that goes inside our
stomachs, ten percent of it becomes as a part of
our body while we crush ninety percent of it and
excrete it. That is why we fill our stomachs with
food but our body crushes them and throws them
out. Only ten percent of the whole food becomes
the part of what our body truly. When we fill our
intestines to the last degree, we have a lot of
diseases like gas, obesity, stomach problems and
a host of other diseases. Another good quality of
the Prophet (saws) was that he always took single
type of meal at one time. He never combined
two types and today we combine on a single table
many types of meals. Another wonderful quality
of his was that he would never eat his full.
The Sunnah Method of Drinking
What is the way of Sunnah in drinking? He
always took his food at one time and always took
drinks at another time. Suppose, if the Prophet
has taken a meal, he would always drink water
at a different time. The modern science confirms
that if a person takes water permanently its
effects permeates the numerous parts of body
while a person takes water while eating it has
different effects. Now see how excellent the
method of the Prophet (saws) is in the matter of
drinking and eating.
Vinegars and Modern science
The Prophet used to have vinegars while
eating. The modern science confirms the idea that
vinegar makes the digestive system better. You
will be surprised to know how many benefits a
single Sunnah yields.
Sunnah of Sleep and the Modern Science
The Prophet of Allah (saws) used to sleep on
his right side. The modern science today confirms
that sleeping on the left side gives one a sound
sleep but it also causes nightmares while the
person sleeping on the right enjoys sound sleep
and the course is also soon completed and has
his body refreshed and never has nightmares.
The Secret of Eternal Beauty
The person who prays has freshness over his
August, 2008 ISLAMIC VISION
face. The reason is that all his veins have received
their circulation of blood. On the contrary, the
person who does not pray has a depression and
despair written on the face. Therefore it has been
said in a hadith, "The person who prays has a
light upon his face."
Advice for women to Pray
The doctor further said that if the women
discover the fact that long prostrations while
praying enhance the beauty they will never lift
off their face from prostrations.
The Sunnah of Miswak
The modern science of today claims that all
that the human being takes inside his stomach as
meal it creates plasma into his mouth. This plasma
could not be cleaned by only washing the mouth.
It is necessary to use the Miswak or toothbrush.
In fact, the state of sleep makes the teeth more
miserable. The reason is that when the human
being sleeps his mouth is closed and the germs
inside the closed mouth have more chances for
creating disrepair to his teeth. On the contrary, a
person during the day sometimes he speaks,
sometimes he eats or drinks in this way the
plasma does not have a chance to work inside
his mouth. Whether you brush or not in the
morning you must use your brush in the evening
always after taking a meal.
Points to ponder
Now think how the journey of a doctor ends at
a thing, which is termed as Mustahabb in Islam.
If the Mustahabb rulings have such wisdoms and
philosophies - attested and affirmed by doctors
and scientists in the west - then what about the
obligatory and Sunnah actions?
A successful life
Whenever the world goes, it will have to turn
to the example of our holy Prophet Muhammad.
They will have to accept his teachings one day.
This is a great blessing of Allah, the Almighty
that He has made us Muslims and gave us the
chance to follow the example of the Prophet
Muhammad (saws). May Allah give us the
courage to go forward with moulding our lives
according to the precepts and practices of the
Messenger of Allah!
23
 Answered By:
SHUAIBULLAH KHAN

FATAWA
Questions and answers relating to religious and social problems
Mail your questions to:
ask_islamicvision@yahoo.com

Taking out blood while fasting

Q: What about taking out blood in a state of fasting?

A: It is quite obvious that taking out blood valid reason like illness on an immediate basis
from the body does not make fasting invalid and he wants to give his blood to a certain
for the thing that makes fasting invalid is that person, then it is permissible as the Islamic
which enters the body not that which comes scholars have permitted the administration of
out of it. cupping. However, if this process is followed
without any genuine need, then in this case it
Ayesha has narrated that the Messenger of
will be Makrooh (strictly undesirable) for it will
Allah (saws) said, "Fasting is terminated due
physically weaken him and it is a basic rule that
to those things that enter inside the body and
it is a Makrooh for a fasting person to do
not that which come out of it." The same report
something that creates weakness in his body.
has been narrated from Ibn Abbas, Ikrimah
and Ibrahim Nakhai. The majority of the
scholars have ruled that the administration of
Fatawa Alamgiri rules that if a person is
cupping does not nullify fasting. Therefore, if
satisfied physically, then there is no problem in
a person takes out some blood from his body
taking out the blood otherwise it will be declared
it will not make his fasting invalid. However, it
as Makrooh. Doing so will be Makrooh for
is a different matter if it is proper for a person
him in the case in which it is doubted that he
to do so.
may suffer considerable weakness that even
If a person has a need to do so for some may compel him to break his fasting.

Using artificial teeth while fasting

Q: If artificial teeth are used by a fasting person, will his fasting remain valid?
A: Using artificial teeth for a fasting person nothing that goes inside his throat through this
does not make his fasting fasid. For, there is process. In the same way, it will also not be

August, 2008 ISLAMIC VISION 24

Makrooh for him to use them for there is no
taste or odor for them which incur Karahah or
undesirability. Furthermore, when a person
becomes used to wearing his artificial teeth, their
use becomes a necessity for him. Without them
he feels discomforted and discomfited.
Taking out teeth in a state of fasting
Q: Is a fasting person allowed to get his teeth taken out by a dentist? Will his
fasting remain valid?
A: One should not go through this process
without any reason for it may render him
physically weak and it is known that doing
something that makes one weak is Makrooh in
a state of fasting. The author of Ad-Durr-Al-
Mukhtar comments: "It is not lawful for a person
to do something that leads him to physical
weakness."
Allama Ibn Nujaim has noted quoting Al-
Qinyah, "It is not lawful for the person who
cooks bread to be so much engrossed in his
act that it compels him to break his fast." (Al-
Bahr Al-Raiq, 2: 282)
Now, when we closely think, we come to
know that taking out teeth will naturally create
physical weakness in the person and perhaps
it may also lead him to break his fast in the long
run as the blood may ooze out profusely.
Therefore, it will be strictly undesirable for him
to do so without any compelling need.
Furthermore, while following the process of
taking out the teeth some times medicines are
administered into the mouth which have a
certain taste whose consumption is Makrooh.
From this point of view too this act will be
declared as Makrooh.
As for as the question is concerned; how it
August, 2008 ISLAMIC VISION
Therefore, using artificial teeth in a state of
fasting has been declared proper by eminent
Islamic jurists. Maulana Ashraf Ali Thanwi has
clearly declared this case as correct and
proper.
will affect the fasting of a person whose teeth
is removed? The answer to this question is that
only taking out the teeth will not make the
fasting invalid. However, if blood comes out
of there and enters inside the stomach and the
blood dominates his spit then his fasting will
become broken.
It has been mentioned in Ad-Durr-Al-
Mukhtar, "If blood comes out of the teeth and
reaches the throat, the fasting will not be invalid.
However, if it penetrates inside the stomach
and then after mingling the spit it dominates it
or equals it in amount, the fasting will become
invalid. In the same way, if a person feels the
taste of blood into his mouth and then it enters
inside his stomach, his fasting will be declared
as invalid." (Ad-Durr Al-Mukhtar with Shami,
2: 396)
Commenting on this ruling,Allama Shami says:
"It is also deduced from this ruling that if a
person in Ramadan takes out of his gums and
his blood reaches the stomach though he is
sleeping, then, he will have to make a Qaza of
it." After that Allama Shami has commented,
"The above question and this one may differ
on the point that in this case it is unavoidable,
while in the above case it is quite avoidable."
25
 Administering medicine in the ear while fasting
Q: Is it lawful to administer medicine in the ears, while a person is in the
state of fasting?

A: The leading Islamic jurists have ruled out
that administering medicine or putting oil in the
ears terminates the process of fasting. They
have reasoned that the medicine or the oil in
this case reaches the stomach. However,
modern medical science has confirmed that
there is no direct route or physical canal
between the ear or brain or the stomach that
keeps them closely connected. The Islamic
jurists had ruled out on this matter according
to the discoveries of their age. If they had other
discoveries contrary to this one, they would
have certainly adopted that. Therefore, if the
modern science gives a satisfactory
confirmation to the fact that there is no direct
route between the ear and the stomach and
the brain and there is no barrier between them
through which if a thing is inserted into the ear
can enter the stomach, then it will be declared
that putting medicine in the ears will not make
fasting as invalid. However, to be on the safe
side, it is better to pronounce this as a
terminating factor as the Islamic jurists have
adopted cautious aspects in some rulings on
Fiqh.

Using Nebulizer Pump while fasting

Q: A certain type of pipe called as Nebulizer Pump has been invented for the
patients of asthma. When this pump is pressed, the medicine comes out in the
form of smoke and goes straight to the lungs and consequently the patient
suffering from asthma has an immediate ease and comfort. Is this act lawful for
a fasting person?

A: It is not lawful to use this device while
fasting for it will make the fast invalid. The
reason is that the medicine comes out of the
pump in the form of smoke and goes inside.
However, if a patient fears that he cannot help
living without this or he has threats of serious
dangers, he is permitted to break his fast and
when he has gained recovery he must make a
Qadha of it or in other case he should make a
ransom (fidyah) for it.

The Effect of Gas

Q: Respected sir, it is to bring to your notice that the use of gas has become
very common nowadays for cooking and for light purposes both. Sometimes
gas cylinders are filled with it and on times for defects or faults or negligence

August, 2008 ISLAMIC VISION 26

gases start to leak out of them. Every person in the surrounding feels the odor
of it. If gas enters into the mouth or nose of a particular person and reaches to
the throat, will his fasting become fasid or nullified?

A: If the gas enters into the throat through
the passage of the mouth or nose
unintentionally, fasting will remain valid for it is
unavoidable. However, if it is avoidable and a
person is not careful until the gas enters his
throat, fasting will become invalid.
The Islamic jurists have mentioned that if dust
or smoke unintentionally enter into the stomach
of a fasting person, fasting will not be invalid
and if he intentionally did so, it will become
invalid. The reason for this ruling has been
mentioned that it is generally possible to avoid
dust and smoke. And in the case when it is
possible, if a person does so intentionally, his
fasting will become invalid. The case of gas too
is in the like manner. Therefore, if it enters into
his throat without his intention, his fasting will
not become invalid and if it was avoidable for
him but he did not try to protect himself; and in
this way the gas entered into his throat, his
fasting will become terminated.

Having Oxygen while Fasting

Q: Is it lawful to have oxygen while fasting?
A: Fasting will become terminated by having terminate the fasting, even if he is operated
oxygen such as other gases terminate it if they under the effect of anaesthesia. However, the
enter inside the stomach in order to enrich the person receiving the treatment of oxygen will
blood with its supply. In fact, this oxygen is have to make a Qadha. He will be exempted
conveyed inside the stomach through the from Kaffarah.
passage of nose or the throat which will clearly

Using Inhaler While Fasting

Q: Nowadays, a device called inhaler has been invented about which it is said
by many people that it is filled with air but the right thing to say about this is
that it is filled with medicine. This device is especially designed and used by
the patients of asthma. When it is opened and then squeezed, something in the
form of air comes out of it and goes inside the throat by which the patient of
asthma spends many hours of ease from the problem that has afflicted him. The
question that needs to be asked here is that: is the use of inhaler unlawful or
lawful while a person is fasting? Does it nullify a fast?

A: Since something like gas goes inside the administration outwardly and inwardly has the
body which contains medicine, it will affect the form of breaking a fast of a person, he will have
fasting and make it invalid. And, since this to make a Qadha and amendment to his fasting:

August, 2008 ISLAMIC VISION 27

if all other conditions of Kaffarah are also found
for example, he had intended to fast during the
Using Toothpastes etc while fasting
Q: What about using toothpaste or powder while fasting?
A: It is not recommended to use toothpastes,
while fasting though this act will not nullify the act
of fasting if the paste does not penetrate into the
throat and a person using it ingests some of it by
mistake. But care should be taken that the
toothpastes used do not have a flavor or taste.
There are plenty of them available in the markets.
Since toothpastes have some kind of taste
therefore, people will not be allowed to use them
in general cases. Its use will be declared as to be
Makrooh. The Author of Al-Hidaya comments:
"If a person tastes something placing it into his
mouth, his fast will not be affected. However, it
is strictly undesirable for him to do so." (Al-
Hidayah, 1:200, Fatawa Alamgiri, 1:199)
In the same manner, the Authors of Al-Bahr-
Ar-Raiq and Ad-Durr-Al-Mukhtar have
declared tasting something without any genuine
reason as Makrooh. On the basis of their
Using Scents and other perfumes while fasting
Q: Respected sir, what is the Islamic ruling on using scents and other
perfumes in a state of fasting?
A: The application of scents and other perfumes
while fasting does not render the act of fasting
invalid or Makrooh. Allama Shami writes quoting
Imdadul Fatawa: "It is not Makrooh for the
fasting person to smell the fragrance of musk and
rose etc. which do not have a permanent body
of their own like smoke." (Radd Al-Muhtar,
August, 2008 ISLAMIC VISION
night or he had taken it intentionally etc.
comments and decrees, Maulana Ashraf Ali
Thanwi has also pronounced using
toothpastes as Makrooh in his book Imdadul
Fatawa. (Imdadul-Fatawa, 2:151)
Therefore, it will not be proper for a person
to use toothpastes without any valid reason
in a state of fasting. However, if a certain
person has some valid reason on account of
which the person may have some problems
if he does not use the toothpastes, then he
will be allowed to do so.
In brief, it will be declared as Makrooh to
use them without any reason only to clean
the teeth for the teeth may also be cleaned
during the period of night. However, one can
use them if he has some valid reasons but he
will have to be very careful as he must not let
any part of it go inside his throat.
2:417) However, using perfumes is not
recommended for it is well-known that one
of its basic ingredients is alcohol. Therefore,
one should be very cautious about this and
make sure to use only those perfumes, which
have their ingredients mentioned on it, which
state that it is free of all forms of alcohol.
28
 The Effects of Chloroform
Q: Does the chloroform affect the fasting?
A: The use of chloroform as it is done in an
operation theater or any other thing like it,
which makes a person unconscious, when he
smells it, comes under the following category:
Unconsciousness by itself does not break a
fast. Therefore, the Islamic jurists have noted
that the person who experiences
unconsciousness in the Month of Ramadan will
not have to make a Qaza of that particular day
in which the incident of unconsciousness took
place for the act of fasting was done on the
day he became unconscious. And, that is his
abstention from drinking (of any liquid), eating
and having sex attached with his intention to
this effect i.e. fasting. (Al-Hidayah, 1:203)
And, it is noted in Fatawa Alamgiri, "If a
person falls unconscious during the whole
period of Ramadan he will have to make Qaza
of it. However, if he gets unconscious after the
sunset and he remains in this state for a number
of days he will not have to make a Qaza for
that particular day, in which he fell unconscious
for it is known that he had intended fasting on
the next day which is clear. And, if he had not
known then it is hoped (from a Muslim) that he
must have intended fasting." (Fatawa Alamgiri,
1:208)
Thirdly, we have to know the way a fasting
person uses these medicines which make a
person go out of his senses. If the way for taking
this drug is through the direct routes and it
enters inside the body the fasting will be invalid.
For example, it was given to him through his
nose whose effects reached the brain and in
this case the act of fasting will no longer be
valid. On the other hand, if another system was
adopted by which the drug does not enter
inside the stomach or it is not administered
through the direct routes, fasting will not be
affected. For example, a person was given an
injection and then he lost consciousness his
fasting will not be broken.

Using Medicines for stopping Menstruation

while fasting
Q: When the modern science of medicine has discovered a number of new
techniques for treatment it has also brought about many new medicines, drugs
and ways of treatment. One of them is that there is a particular medicine
which is taken by a woman and it stops her menstruation blood for a certain
period of time. The question is that: If her menstruation stops through this
method, will she have to fast?
A: If a woman uses these medicines in order the reason of her blood. Now when she has
to stop her menstruation blood, she will have stopped bleeding for some medical method,
to fast during that period. She has been given that act of fasting will be obligatory on her.
the privilege of not fasting during Ramadan for

August, 2008 ISLAMIC VISION 29

 As for as the question is concerned that if
the woman will be bound to use these medicines
which the modern age has discovered and the
act of fasting will be obligatory on them, the
answer to this question is that it will not be
declared obligatory for there is no authentic
proof to this act. However, if she fasts by
adopting this method, out of love for the
religion, it is good.

Inserting Loop in the private part of a

Fasting Woman
Q: What is the Islamic ruling on Inserting loop in the private part of a fasting
woman?
A: One of the temporary contraceptive ways
that have been devised by human beings to
ensure that a woman does not get pregnant is
that a loop or rubber-latex tube is inserted in
the private part of a woman which covers the
mouth of the womb. If this loop is inserted into
her vagina in a state of fasting, her fasting will
be broken for the loops are inserted in the inner
sides of the private part of a woman. No part
of this loop is in the outer part of the vagina,
which is obligatory to wash while bathing.
Therefore, the loop penetrates into the inner
side. And the inner side of the vagina is a part of
a stomach and when anything enters into the
stomach the fasting becomes invalid. The issue
is looked upon like in the following case. The
author of Ad-Durr Al-Mukhtar comments:
"If a woman inserts a piece of cotton and it
disappears into her vagina, her fasting will
become invlid and if its part remains outside
her vagina it will not be invalid." (Radd Al-
Muhtar, 2:400)
Since the loop penetrates into the inner
sides of the private parts and none of its
portions is outside, inserting it will make the
fasting invalid. However, if this loop was
inserted prior to starting fasting, it will not be
invalid. In the above case only Qaza would
be obligatory on the concerned person.

Having operations in a state of fasting

Q: If a fasting person needs to have an operation in the Month of Ramadan and
he goes through this process, will his fasting be terminated?
A: It must be remembered that only having an by that operation whether medicine is
injection will not terminate the fasting. However, administered along with it or not. For it is one
in some cases of operation, medicines, or drugs of the basic rules in this regard that only that
are administered into the body. In some cases thing breaks the fast when the medicine goes
the fasting will become invalid while in some other inside the body through a direct route that is
circumstances fasting will not be effected the through his mouth or the nasal passage.
detail of which is as in the following: And, if there is a direct route between a
If a person has the operation of any part of his particular part of the body and the stomach,
body other than his stomach and brain, then it then the administration of the medicine will
will be seen whether there is any direct route cause the termination of the fast for the main
from there to the brain or stomach. If there is no factor that affects the fasting is found in this
direct route, then fasting will not be terminated case.

August, 2008 ISLAMIC VISION 30

 Moreover, if the operation was processed in
the stomach or the brain then, in this case it
will be seen whether something was taken out
from there or any medicine was inserted there.
In the first case, the fasting will remain valid
while in the other case fasting will be terminated.
Furthermore, if through the process of
operation something artificial or any limb of
human or animals are fitted inside the brain or
the stomach, then the Islamic authorities on
jurisprudence have this case based on the
following example:
If a person was struck by a spear and it
penetrated inside the stomach and it was left
to remain there, his fasting will become invalid
according to some scholars while some others
disagree and affirm that it will not make the
fasting fasid. The best opinion approved in this
regard is that his fasting will not be affected.
(The footnote of Bazzaziyyah on Alamgiri, 4:98)
The above situation falls in the same context
which will be governed by the same ruling. In
the same way, this case too should be
controversial and it should not break the fasting
as in the above example. However, if we reflect
upon this matter more deeply, we come to know
that it would make the fasting of a person
invalid. For the Islamic Jurists have declared in
this issue in question that it will not make the
fasting invalid for the reason that there was no
personal action that was done from his side and
he did not do any action, which would benefit
his body. This detail makes it clear that the
reason in the above case fasting has not been
declared as fasid because of extraneous factors,
for the main factor, which would render his
fasting as invalid was not found.
Keeping in view all these points, if we
consider this issue from all possible angles to
know whether any of these two things were
found in this act, we come to know that all these
factors are available in this case too. Firstly,
the person concerned is having the operation
process conducted by his own wishes, which
indicates that he is the doer of that action.
August, 2008 ISLAMIC VISION
Secondly, he will draw physical benefit from the
operation. Therefore, in the issue in question
when some thing artificial or any part of the
human being or animal is inserted inside, the
fasting will be declared as invalid. One of the
contemporary Islamic scholars Maulana Khalid
Saifullah Rahmani too has adopted the same
opinion.
On the other hand, if the concerned person
was not ready for having an operation done on
him but was forced by extraordinary
circumstances to do so and something was fitted
inside his stomach or brain, or a sleeping person
was made to undergo through this process, his
fasting will become terminated. This situation
resembles the following case in the Islamic
jurisprudence law: "If some thing is forced down
the throat of a particular person in a state of
sleeping, his fasting will stand terminated and
he will have to make a Qaza for it."
Commenting on this ruling Allama Shami has
remarked: "The reason for this is that he draws
benefit from it."
This shows that if one of the two points that
have been mentioned above is found, it will make
the fasting invalid. Though in this case, the first
point is missing, the second is still found which
will eventually break the fasting.
As for as the question whether he will have
to make the Qaza or Kaffarah in the cases in
which he administers medicine which enters into
the stomach the answer is that he will have to
make only a Qaza. Kaffarah will not be imposed
on any of these two cases. The penalty of
Kaffarah is only effective in the case when the
process of fasting is broken or terminated
inwardly and outwardly both.
Outwardly breaking of the fast is that
something is ingested from the mouth and
inwardly means that something is inserted into
the body that benefits it and imparts strength to
it. Since in the above cases fasting has not been
broken outwardly, rather it has been broken
inwardly, therefore only Kaffarah will be
obligatory on the person concerned. 
31
 Maulana Muhammad Ilyas
(A Short Account of his Life and Achievements)
MAULANA ZULFIQAR AHMAD NAQSHBANDI
M
aulana Muhammad Ilyas, the
world-renowned reformist and
Islamic revivalist, was born in
Kandhlah, a famous town of district
Muzaffarngar, Uttar Pradesh, India. His father
Maulana Muhammad Ismail, a pious
gentleman, lived in an area of Delhi called
Nizamuddin. He was one of the fortunate
people who had memorized the Glorious
Qur’an and lived by its tenet and was regarded
as an authentic Islamic scholar. His life was fully
dedicated to the worship of Allah (swt) and he
kept long vigils during the night staying awake
for prayers to gain the pleasure of Allah (swt).
Worshiping and remembering Allah (Dhikr)
was one of his favorite pastimes and teaching
the Holy Qur’an to others was the sole objective
of his life. He was closely connected to
Maulana Rasheed Ahmad of Gangoh and his
activities in Deoband.
Maulana Muhammad Ilyas learned the
lessons of the Holy Qur’an under the
patronage of his pious father. He also
undertook the study of Persian and Arabic
books of the elementary grade under his close
guidance. Later, his elder brother Maulana
Muhammad Yahya took him to Maulana
Gangohi. This town was particularly known for
its reputation to be a center of eminent Islamic
scholars and Muslim intellectuals and holy men
of repute. This town was also known for
housing the great personality of Maulana
Rasheed Ahmad Gangohi. Maulana
Muhammad Ilyas spent approximately nine
years studying under various Islamic scholars
August, 2008 ISLAMIC VISION
of Gangoh where he received the best religious
and moral instructions under the most capable
professors and learned Islamic scholars. He
also had the honor of pledging allegiance to
Maulana Gangohi in learning all that there was
to know about Sufism.
In the course of time, he went to the town
of Deoband where he studied the classical
books of hadith like Sahih of Al-Bukhari and
the Sunan At-Tirmidhi under the great professor
of Islamic theology Maulana Mahmood Al-
Hasan. Later, he continued to learn the hadith
literature from his elder brother for a number
of years. After the great Sufi and professor of
hadith and theology, Maulana Gangohi, passed
away, he went to Maulana Khaleel Ahmad
Saharanpuri under whose tutelage he
completed the course of his spiritual reform and
then he was appointed as a teacher in Mazahir
Uloom Saharanpur, one of the most prestigious
Islamic universities of the subcontinent. He
went on a Pilgrimage to Makkah in 1334 CE.
A year later, his brother Maulana Yahya whom
he considered his main support for him in times
of need passed away and he went to settle in
Nizamuddin permanently. Nizamuddin had a
small mosque of stone building, and a house
made up of clay and a room. In the southern
part of the mausoleum of Sufi Nizamuddin
Auliya, there inhabited a small population. Here
some students from Mewat and others came
to him for religious learning and moral
education. He was highly committed to the post
of his teaching. He also gave lectures on ahadith
and many other disciplines.
32
 However, the greatest achievement of his life
lies in his founding the movement, which is
popular today in the Indian subcontinent as
“Tablighi Jamat”, which originated its activities
from the town of Mewat, in Gujarat. The
Muslim population of this town professed
Islam only in its letter and would not enact the
teachings of Islam in its spirit. Their social life
was hardly different from those of Hindus. He
continued to strive untiringly everyday
consistently and as a result established many
Islamic centers where he started his activities
of preaching and religious awareness about
Islam in its purest and pristine form. Gradually,
these activities began showing surprising
results and started gaining ground. As a result,
he targeted the well-organized group of young
scholars, and gave them a program of general
preaching assembling the best among them in
small groups, who would move to different
areas of the city and outside it for the purpose
of preaching. He carried out this task after a
deep thinking, systematic planning, and careful
consideration and deep contemplation.
The Maulana stimulated others and he would
set out with them to go out of their homes to
the houses of Muslims, and he would exhort
them both in public and private to teach and
enlighten them about the basic principles and
fundamentals of Islam like Monotheism and
Prayer etc. Then he, as a part of his well
thought out plan, started to dispatch large
bodies of Muslims to different parts of the
country. In the normal course of events, Allah,
the Almighty rewarded his works and services
in such a manner that the Tablighi Movement
started attracting to its fold numerous Muslims
from the mainstream society and the Tablighi
groups scattered around the subcontinent
reforming and revolutionizing lives of Muslims
molding their character of the path of piety.
August, 2008 ISLAMIC VISION
By nature, Maulana Ilyas was very humble,
pious, but physically weak. But he surpassed
his contemporaries in his knowledge about
Islam, righteousness, pious qualities and high
ideals that were demanded from him by his
religion. Until his last breath, he dedicated
himself for his movement and spent his untiring
efforts and produced a vast gathering of
individuals who carried out his mission
according to his principles laid out by him. He
died on July 13, 1944.
The Mission of Preaching and Dawah
The Maulana, despite his physical weakness,
infirm constitution and a brief life span, attended
to a large number of daily chores, devoted
every moment of his valuable life to further his
mission, which was motivated by sincerity,
unflinching faith, and belief and bringing those
who had gone astray from the Path of Islam,
setting them on the Right Path without the
accretions that had crept into Islam. If a person
fasted daily, performed all his Nafl prayers,
recited the whole Qur’an on a daily basis or
spent millions of rupees by way of charity and
almsgiving, could not reach the degree of those
who could lead millions of people to the Path
of righteousness and the True Path who as a
result, would start taking part in their daily
Prayers with renewed enthusiasm started
imbibing into their souls and act out other tenets
of Islam. As a result the rewards of these
people practicing Islam with the active support
of the Jamaat would at every moment bless his
soul for centuries for the pious actions of these
people, passing the Message of Islam, from
those who knew more about it to others who
were unaware of it. In fact, the actions of a
single person, though sincere, cannot be
compared to his actions, sincerity, devotion and
dedications of thousands of peoples.
Therefore, Maulana Ilyas preferred to lead
33
people to the right path to offering
supererogatory prayers and found it extremely
rewarding and drew immense inner spiritual
satisfaction from it.
Once a pious man who had carried out
great works during his lifetime and now suffered
a physical weakness was advised by some of
his friends, “Now you are unable to carry out
the acts of worships personally. The time is little
and the work is of gigantic proportions.
Therefore, it is quite reasonable, and a part of
religious wisdom to lead others towards his
actions which he had long cherished in his soul.
Spend in your capacity through your lectures,
sermons, letters and writings towards
admonishing your friends and followers towards
this preaching and in this way participate in the
rewards of their actions and worships.”
The Basis of Action and Deeds:
One hardly takes a step in ones life motivated
by Divine reward but it was a nature of Maulana
Ilyas that he did nothing that was not motivated
by obtaining a reward in the Next World and
in anticipation of its results. Each moment of
his life was governed by intention, religious
benefit and divine rewards for which he talked,
walked, worked and took part in religious
gatherings. He was quite disinterested in the
matters that were devoid of this purpose for
his mission. This remarkable feature of his
personality was a dominant part of his life even
in the smallest daily chores, which he attended
personally. Maulana Muhammad Manzoor
Nomani has rightly remarked, “Perhaps he
never took or offered someone a cup of tea
without being motivated by a true hope of an
intention and religious reward in the Hereafter.”
Humility and Gentleness:
He had such a delicate, judicious and ready
mind that he even in a single work guided each
August, 2008 ISLAMIC VISION
individual according to his capacity of a
particular hope of reward. Maulana
Muhammad Manzoor Nomani has narrated a
wonderful story that expresses the extent of
this extraordinary personal characteristic of his
life, which he possessed. He goes on to say,
“During the last hours of his life when he was
even unable to sit or stand once I reached to
Nizamuddin. I saw that some of his Mewati
servants were busy helping him make the
ablution for prayers. Meanwhile the Maulana
happened to look at me. With a wave of his
hand he called me and said, “Maulana,
Abdullah Ibn Abbas despite working in close
proximity and learning in the person of the way
the Prophet performed his ablutions for many
years, as well as Abu Bakr and Umar, he
always looked at himself as a student and as a
learner of Ali Ibn Abi Talib (ra) while he did
his ablution.” After listening to his remark when
I thought closely at the way Maulana was
making his ablution, I experienced the clear
feeling that I too can learn a lot from the way
of his ablution in spite of his serious illness.
The three servants who were helping him
for his ablutions belonged to Mewat. He said
pointing his fingers towards them, “They are
extending their help to me for my ablutions. I
think that they love me for the sake of Allah
and with this motivation and anticipation they
are serving me that I may lead them in their
prayer better than them. Therefore, I request
them to have the intention while helping me
for my ablution and pray to Allah, “O Allah!
This servant of Yours leads the prayer well as
we cannot do. Therefore, we are helping him
for his ablution so that we could also participate
and hope for the reward of his prayer in this
world and in the Hereafter. Furthermore, I
always pray and say, “O Allah! These simple
servants of Yours have such a good wish and
a high regard towards me, therefore, I ask You
34
to consider their hopes with Your Mercy on
the Day of Reckoning and accept my prayer
and give them a share in the reward of my
actions.” Then, he said, “If I ever come to think
that my Prayer is better than them I will be
rejected by Allah, or rather I think that Allah.
the Almighty will not reject my prayer through
the favor of these simple servants.”
Remembrance of the Next Life:
He would always remember the Hereafter
in his mind as his constant companion. He
always recalled the saying of Hasan Al-Basri,
“The Companions of the Prophet Muhammad
(saws) had such a constant remembrance of
the Hereafter as if they were looking at it
through their eyes.” Once he asked a person
from Mewat, “What brings you to Delhi?” The
simple-minded Mewati answered, “To visit it.”
He immediately knew from the disposition of
Maulana that he had made a mistake and he at
once changed the answer and said, “To pray
in the Jama Masjid”, and a third time he
reverted and said, “To visit you”. Maulana
reacted and remarked, “The city of Delhi and
its central mosque are nothing as compared to
Paradise. As for as I am concerned, I am a
non-entity to be visited. I am just a body of
consumable bones. As he mentioned the
Paradise, it clearly showed that as if he had
the image of Paradise flashing before his own
eyes.
His Continuous Preaching
If ever the Maulana thought that he could
not have a chance to offer his preaching in a
gathering or a function, he would not take part
in it. It was very hard for him morally to
participate in functions designed as a ceremony
or celebration. He always admonished his
coworkers, “Whenrever you might go, you
must not forget this mission. You must not leave
October, 2007
the place without putting your program before
the people. Always keep the mission as the
uppermost and dominant part of your life.”
Once I quoted him a saying of Maulana Sayyid
Sulayman Nadwi, which he had said after
returning from a certain religious gathering, “If
one goes to put a single word before the
people, one has to listen to tens of others’
words.” Maulana greatly liked this for it showed
the genuine love of people towards Islam to
learn and understand more about their religion.
Every thing in place and order
Once he was invited to participate in the
marriage ceremony assisted by one of his close
friends. In the special gathering of the marriage,
the Maulana addressed the two parties and
said, “This day marks one of the best days of
your celebration and delights when even the
lowest of people are treated respectfully even
a person does not want to displease the
maidservant of his house. Now, I ask you
whether you are careful or not about
displeasing the Prophet of Allah.” Then he
mentioned his mission and elaborated on the
attempts of reviving the religion of the Prophet
and stimulated the people of the gathering to
take this job seriously.
Avoidance of Nonsense
He found it greatly disgusting to be involved
in any sort of nonsense even he would admonish
others, and specially those office workers of
the Tablighi movement not to be involved in
such things. He was very often heard to say,
“Involvement in nonsense robs the mission of
its originality and essence.” It was his right
thinking that anything that did not have a benefit
for the religion of Islam was an act of no
consequence. Once while I was listening to the
details of an old story regarding a Tablighi
journey, Maulana said, “It is history now let us
start something new useful.”
35
 Nourishment for Spirit
Once, Maulana gave an amazing definition
of love. He said explaining this word, “If the
interests and tastes of a person that are attached
to different parts of ones life come together into
a single mission or destination is called love.”
This definition of love from Maulana truly
delineated his personality and vividly depicted
the unmatched devotion to his movement. His
soul and spirit had dissolved in it. All the
outward show of physical and material interests
and senses had disappeared. This spiritual love
of his movement had become a second nature
for him. He derived such a power, enthusiasm,
vitality and freshness from his mission whom
normal people derive from material things and
physical remedies. Once he had written to one
of his coworkers who had complained of his
disinterest and mental confusion, which truly
depicts his disposition, “My dear, this mission
of preaching is, in fact, nourishment for the
spirit. It is a sole grace of Allah, the Almighty
that He has bestowed on you a part of this diet.
Now, if you ever feel a little loss of it or have
some confusion that is inevitable, you must not
be distressed.”
Time and again, it was seen that he forgot his
physical diseases if he was informed about any
good news of his mission or any suitable person
leading it to its fruition. His nature received such
a vitality that overcame his diseases immediately
and his health was seen to be improving. On
the contrary some times his health declined for
some care or tension but in this case too, the
sole care he nourished in his mind was to further
the purpose of the Tablighi Jamaat.
His Illness
Sometimes, he had an overpowering feeling
of joy, which made it impossible for him to bear
it. Especially, during the period of his last illness,
August, 2008 ISLAMIC VISION
he would not bear excessive happiness. In
1944, January when the Tablighi Jamaat of
Lucknow went to him he said to me, “Perhaps
the activities of the Tablighi Jamaat have died
in Kanpur after my departure.” I said in
response, “A group of Muslims have come
from Lucknow there and by the Grace of Allah
now the work has been resumed. I said to
him pointing to Haji Wali Muhammad that he
was also a part of that group.” Maulana
immediately extended his hands to him for
greeting and kissed them and remarked, “Now
my head is aching with excessive happiness.
Please do not make me overjoyous. I am
unable to bear more happiness.”
It was clearly seen through the activities of
the Maulana that he enjoyed the happiness and
bliss of Paradise in his way of preaching. The
scorching wind was like a delightful breeze for
him. Once Maulana Zakariyya, Maulana
Ikramul Hasan went with him on a visit. The
hot wind was blowing fiercely. Someone sitting
in the car said, “We are exposed too much
hot sun; let us close the windows.” Maulana
Zakariyah said, “Yes, it is too hot.” Upon this
Maulana Ilyas remarked, “The hot wind in the
path of Allah is more delightful to me than the
cold breeze of spring.”
Regular Observance of Congregational
Prayer
Once, two friends happened to travel together in
a train. One of them performed his prayer on time
while the other could not because of the crowd.
When Maulana met them, he asked, “Have you
prayed?” One of them said, “I have prayed but my
friend is still praying.” When he heard this, he was
greatly sad and then remarked, “For the last twenty
years I have occupied myself in this mission but I
have never performed a prayer without the
congregation even thoughAllah gave me the chance
to pray the Taraweeh prayer in congregation.
36
Though some times I had to pray Taraweeh only
for two Rakah but I never left it completely.”
His Condition While Praying
Maulana used to pray and supplicate for a long
time with too much enthusiasm and vigor. Most
of the times he would even forget himself and
amazing words of devotion were heard spoken
from his mouth. After the five daily prayers
especially during the journeys to Mewat he made
highly effective supplications, which were in fact
speeches and lectures. He asked Allah open-
heartedly and without limiting himself. He would
often say during his speeches, “Ask Allah for
everything!

Notice
It is to clarify that in the issue of June, 2008,
in the left column, line19, page 42, “Paradise”
was mitakenly composed in place of “hell”. The
error is seriously regretted.

August, 2008 ISLAMIC VISION 37

 Hospitals and Medical Schools
in the Islamic Civilization
1. The Moroccan Hospital
This was built by Sultan Mansoor Abu Yusuf, a
well-known ruler of the Muwahhid dynasty of the
West. A spacious piece of land was selected in
one of the most temperate place of Morocco for
this hospital and the architects and builders were
ordered to make it of the most beautiful design
they could. And all sorts of fruit trees and plants
of most fragrant flowers were also planted on the
premises. Canals of running water were passing
by every room of the hospital. Four special
reservoirs of water were built, one of them of pure
white marble. Fine beddings were provided for
the hospital beds, made out of wool, linen, silk,
and leather, beautiful beyond description. A
pharmacy was built in the hospital in which different
kinds of syrups, oils, collyria, and other medicines
were prepared. On being completely cured, in
case of his being poor, he was given sufficient
amount of money which could help him start a
business and earn his livelihood. Even if he was
rich that amount of his share was given to him any
way. This hospital was not dedicated to the poor
and the indigent only but the affluent also benefited
by it. Rather, in whichever section of Morocco
any stranger was found ailing, he was brought to
the hospital and admitted as an in-patient. Either
he was cured and discharged or died there. The
Sultan went to the hospital very Friday and
enquired and learnt first hand about the health of
the patients, the working of the doctors and their
dealings with the patients, and did all that was
required by way of correction and redressal.
Envy of a German Orientalist
August, 2008 ISLAMIC VISION
DR. MUSTAFA SABAI
In short, these are the four ideal specimens out
of hundred of hospitals that were functioning at
that time in the Islamic world from East to West.
And they existed at the time when Europe was
wondering in the wilderness of ignorance under
layers of darkness, and unaware of these
hospitals, their finesses, their cleanliness and the
highest spirit of humanity at work in them. Let us
hear in this connection what a well known
German orientalist Marx Mayerhoff has to say
about the European hospitals existing at that time
as compared with the conditions in our hospitals
narrated above. Dr. Marx says: "The Arab
hospitals and the order existing in the Islamic
countries of the past giving us a lesson which is
very unpleasant and leaves a bitter taste in our
mouths. We cannot fully appreciate it unless we
compare and contrast, in minute detail, this
system with that of the European hospitals of
that period."
The Pitiable Condition of a Major
Hospitals of Paris
About three hundred years before our time,
rather even later, Europe was ignorant of the
meaning of hospital. Rather it would be no
exaggeration to say that up to 1710 A.D., they
were living under these conditions. The patients
were treated either at their own homes or at the
poor-houses. The European hospitals in the past
were actually poor-houses in which were kept
those destitute without any support and shelter
whether they were ailing or in sound health. The
best example of European hospitals or the poor-
houses can be the Parisian home for the poor
38
"Otel View" known to be the best hospital of that
period. Maxi Tordo and Tanon both have given
an account of this hospital in the following words:
"There are 1200 beds in this hospital. Out of these
486 beds are single, one for each patient. The
remaining (714) which were not more than five
paces in width, were allotted to form three to six
patients. The extensive wards were damp and
stinking and dark, in the absence of any windows
or ventilators, in which more than eight hundred
patients were lying on the ground (for want of
beds). There was hardly room for them to lie
down comfortably, so they were miserably
huddled up there on the bare ground or on a heap
of rubbish! A pitiable sight indeed for any person
with human feelings! On a bed of average size
five or six patients were lying in a heap, the feet
of one over the head of another, the young in the
company of the old, women by the side of men.
Although it violates common sense, yet it is the
bare truth. On the one side, there is a woman
menstruating and by her side was lying child laid
down by typhoid and in a state of convulsion and
burning with fever. And both these are in turn laying
with a victim of skin infection and scratching his
necrosed skin with his equally dirty blood stained
nails, and pus is being spilled on the bed which
cannot be soiled any further. The bad quality of
food given to them is as bad as can be conceived,
and that too in a very meager quantity and
irregularly after long intervals. The nuns
supervising the working of this hospital had a
preference for the rich patients, and provide wine
at the cost of the poor patients. Sometimes they
gave the sweet dishes and other rich foods,
received as alms, to such patients for whom they
were detrimental due to their peculiar maladies.
So some of them died of overeating, indigestion,
even cholera, while others died of starvation. The
doors of this hospital were always open and every
one could find ingress and egress any time. In this
way, diseases could spread outside the hospital.
August, 2008 ISLAMIC VISION
There were heaps of human excretions and the
air was heavily laden with noxious odors. Food
arrangements were limited wholly to alms. If the
rich people had not sent cooked food to the
hospital, the inmates would have died of
starvation, as some of them died of overeating
and drinking heavily. The beddings were teeming
with insect and even vermin. The atmosphere of
these wards was so foul that the nurses and
attendants found it difficult to enter even after
putting pieces of cloth moistened with vinegar to
their noses. If a patient died there, his corpse
would not be removed for at least twenty-four
hours, from the hospital bed. At times such
corpses got bloated and began to rot and stink,
but still lay by the side of another patient on the
same bed who would find himself nearer death
due to this agonizingly foul atmosphere."
This is a brief comparison that brings out the
difference between our hospitals of the Western
countries. It shows to what abysmal depths of
degradation due to ignorance and utter lack of
knowledge of the principles and rules and
regulations for the management of hospitals, the
Western nations had fallen. They had no
knowledge of even the existence of any such ting
as the principles of public health and hygiene.
Rather, they were ignorant of even the most
apparent principles of the maintenance of health
and common sense suggests, and for which no
education and training are necessary. The famous
physician Usamah Ibn Munqiz has reported two
events in his book Al-Itibar, which give a correct
idea of the sum of the knowledge of medical
science of the Christians of the West. He says:
"Among the "marvels" (Howlers) of the medical
affairs of English men, one incident is this that
Sahib Munitrah wrote to his uncle that there was
need of a doctor to treat his companions. The
uncle sent a Christian doctor, Thabit, to them,
but he came back within ten days. We asked him,
"Have you been able to treat the patients in such
39
a short period?" He said, "They had brought to That Muslims is the first Ummah which
me a soldier who had a boil on one of his feet. discovered that melodiousness, humorous
When a bandage dipped in the juice of Linjah (a literature and giving the patient the impression
plant) was applied, the abscess got burst. There psychologically that he is improving is very helpful
was another patient, a woman whose dry and in his speedy recovery.
chapped skin had developed itch and was giving That we have established such a high record in
her trouble. I kept her on restricted diet as a the matter of collective support, not attained, even
preventive and tried to make her dry skin moist. in this advanced age, by the Western countries.
But suddenly an English doctor appeared on the The patients were treated free of charge and their
scene and told the people there about me, "What board and lodge were also arranged free. Rather
does he know of medical science and treatment after being cured, the poor and the destitute were
of patients?" Then he asked the soldier with also given enough money to help them earn their
abscess on his foot whether he would like to live livelihood during rest of their lives.
with one leg or die with both. The soldier said he
would prefer to live with one leg only. So a sturdy This is that high position of philanthropy, which
we attained when the banner of leadership was in
soldier and a sharp axe were brought and I was
our hands in the then civilized world. Have we
a witness to this scene. The English doctor
ever thought over it, where we stand today, and
straightened his leg on a wooden board and
where are the Western people, compared with
asked the soldier (executioner) to chop off his
us?
leg with a single stroke of his axe. He made a
stroke with the axe. I was a witness to that and
found that it failed to sever the leg. So he made a
second attempt. The bone marrow was thrown
out and the patient died immediately."
After that the author has related in great details
how he poured boiling water on the woman and
she too, poor thing, passed away from this world
immediately.
The Results of Comparison:
Before closing this topic, I would like to invite
the attention of the readers to the results brought
out by this comparison. The Islamic civilization
established the highest standard in the field of the
management of hospitals about nine hundred
years earlier than the Western civilization.
That our hospitals were established under such
exalted human sentiments and principles of mercy
and justice to humanity, which have a parallel
neither in the ancient history, nor these sentiments
and principles have been witnessed to this day in
the Western countries.

August, 2008 ISLAMIC VISION 40

 RAZIA SULTANA - THE FIRST
QUEEN WHO RULED DELHI
The earliest Muslims to invade India were the
Arabs. The turning point in history of Muslims
came when Muhammad Ghazni defeated
Prithviraj Chauhan in 1192 CE in the second battle
of Tarain. One of his nobles, Qutbuddin Aibak
consolidated the Muslim rule to the entire North
India, and as a reward Muhammad Ghazni made
him his vassal, the first among Slave Kings to
rule over Delhi. Aibak was succeeded by his son-
in-law Altamash. However, before his death
Altamash - an enlightened king who was far
ahead of his times - in 1236 CE, made a will
naming his successor Razia Sultan, heir to his
kingdom and successor to the throne!
The entire palace was aghast at this
unexpected turn of events. They knew Razia was
not an ordinary mortal. She was far more learned
than any of her brothers. She could outrun the
best among them in a horserace, and she could
wield her sword and other arms like a seasoned
warrior. Her only fault was that she was a
woman!
They made their displeasure known to
Altamash. Altamash had replied: "My sons are
all immature to take on the heavy burden of
responsibility of ruling Delhi for they are addicted
to the pleasures of youth. In the absence of any
other alternative, and extraordinary
circumstances, I have proclaimed Razia to be
my heir apparent, for there is no one competent
than her to guide the affairs of the state than my
daughter."
Sultan Shamsuddin Altamash passed away on
April 29 1236 after a brief illness. Once the
funeral was over, his secretary Tajuddin
summoned all the forty Amirs who has assisted
Altamash to rule his kingdom and read out the
Sultan's will.
There was immediately a furor among the
Amirs. Some of them were of the opinion that
the late king had made a wise choice knowing
the wayward life of his sons who were devoted
to sensual pleasures and self-gratification.
August, 2008 ISLAMIC VISION
A.I MAKKI
However, a majority of them were of the opinion
that although she was faultless, she could not be
allowed to rule the kingdom for the Amirs would
not pledge allegiance to a woman.
The princess was aware of the religious
restrictions that made her improper for her to rule
her Kingdom. But, they were passing through
extraordinary times. If she asserted her authority,
it was possible the Amirs would rise up against
her and there would be a civil war, the kingdom
would be torn up with strife and bloodshed; and
anarchy would prevail. So, she voluntarily
relinquished all her rights to the throne and
abdicated in the favor of her brother Ruknuddin.
The Queen mother Shah Turkan, her step mother
had prevailed on her to heed her wise words.
Nonetheless, Razia was farsighted beyond her
years. She had received her training first hands
at the hands of her father about art of playing
politics in the palace; in the same way he had
taught her to ride a horse in the battlefield and
the skills of using various weapons, which were
at the disposal of the army. She knew she had to
bide for her time.
As his father Sultan Altamash had foreseen,
his son possessed none of the qualities to govern
his kingdom. As a king, he had access to every
sort of vice and pleasure at his beck and call and
there were no dearth of courtiers who were
willing to obey his orders to be in his favors and
good books; and in the process had neglected
running the affairs of his kingdom at the hands of
his nobles.
Moreover, whenever the Amirs were placed
with a difficult choice, they would approach Razia
to seek her advice on matters relating to the state.
Her sagely advice has saved the kingdom from
many adversities, which it faced from those
people who were opposed to it from both inside
the kingdom and outside it.
Razia discreetly ruled the Kingdom on behalf
of her brother, allowing him to take credit to all
41
her action. But, her actions brought her into a
direct conflict with her stepmother who realized
that she soon would soon forfeit her throne, unless
Razias increasing popularity with her subjects and
nobles were not checked immediately.
So, she hatched a plan. One dark night when
the city slept Jamaluddin Yaqut - the keeper of
the Royal Stables was walking towards the
palace. He noticed a few men digging a deep pit
where Razia would exercise daily with her
horses. Once the job was done, they
camouflaged the pit with hay in such a manner
that it would escape the notice of the most
experienced man who was well versed with such
things.
He immediately sought an audience with Razia,
and told her what he had seen. Razia knew
instinctively that it was the work of her step
mother. The entire city knew that there was no
love lost between the two, and they were keeping
up their pretences for the sake of others.
She told Yaqut to summon all the Amirs, pass
discretely the message to the people of the city
to assemble at the place where Razia would
exercise her horse tomorrow.
Yaqut carried out his part so well that the next
morning the City of Delhi was filled with wild
rumors. Thousands of excited people rushed to
the riding ground expecting to witness something
they knew not what.
Razia kept her rendezvous with her riding
schedule riding her horse like an expert
horsewoman. But as the horse was about the
cross her first hurdle, she suddenly reined it and
asked thee Grand Vizier to inspect the other side
of her vault for she noticed that something was
amiss. The Vizier was puzzled by this strange
request and he walked to the spot. The Princess
must have her reasons for asking him to inspect
the ground.
Suddenly the ground caved below his feet, and
the Vizier was saved by a certain death by the
alert guardsmen who accompanied him.
Immediately someone from the crowd shouted
that it was the work of Shah Turkan. At the
same time Sultan Ruknuddin appeared on the
scene to find out the reason behind this tumult.
Razia charged the Sultan that the Queen mother
August, 2008 ISLAMIC VISION
had hatched a plot to finish her once and for all.
The Sultan was furious at Razia for accusing her
mother. Instead, he said that he would have her
killed for making such a baseless charge against
his mother.
But, the crowd was clever enough to know that
shady plots, which were hatched inside the palace.
It was now common knowledge for them that
Shah Turkan and Razia were heading for a power-
tussle, and they immediately sided with Razia.
With one voice they shouted to kill the Sultan and
her mother Shah Turkan.
A lot of bloodshed was averted with the arrival
of a holy man Kazimuddin Zahid on the spot. He
had earned the respect of the people by forsaking
all the material things in life and for devotedly
walking on the Path of God. He decreed that
Sultan Ruknuddin should be deposed and Razia
should be made the ruler of Delhi in his place.
Razia accepted the responsibility that was thrust
on her by the sudden turn of events. She solemnly
pledged before God that she would acquit herself
creditably as the ruler of the land and uphold the
dignity of the high throne of Delhi that had been
bequeathed to her by her ancestors and the people
of the land. As a ruler of the land, she would act
as a mother to all her subjects, and since she was
their mother, she would unveil her face before
her children.
Razia acted immediately to consolidate her
power. She dressed like a king and had coins struck
in her name. She held constant consultations with
the Amirs holding them accountable for the
welfare of her subjects. She was always in the
forefront when it came to leading her armies in
the battlefield. She restored peace and order in
her kingdom. She built roads and planted trees so
that the travelers could rest in their shade; dug
wells; encouraged trade; dispensed justice with
equanimity; established libraries, schools and
academies; patronized scholars and artists.
Among her Amirs, she had a soft corner for
Altunia. She hoped to marry him someday. Her
constant appearances in public without a veil had
sent tongues wagging. In her father’s time she
had never appeared in public view without a veil
covering her face. Altunia drew her attention to
this fact as the Grand Vizier had done before her.
42
She told him her modesty, and her behavior was
a part of her faith. She would not bring disgrace
to the high office of her ancestors in front of her
subjects who were like her children to her.
One day, at court she decreed that Jaziah
should be abolished.
However, her conservative Amirs did not see
the subject from her tolerant point of view. Some
of them started feeling resentment towards her
that such a move would weaken their authority
over them and empty the state coffers.
She elevated Jamaluddin Yaqut to the position
of Amir-ul-Umra - the Chief of nobles - over all
the Amirs in her court. Balban represented the
Amirs by upholding their opinion. According to
their scheme of things such a high post should be
invested on a Turk and no other besides them.
Razia silenced his argument with verses from
the Holy Qur'an, which read that all Muslims
were brothers bound to one another in faith. Allah
did not distinguish between people based on their
color and race. Instead, the noblest man in the
sight of Allah was the most pious among them
and there was none equal to Yaqut in discharging
his religious duties zealously than the most learned
holy men in this land.
But, the Amirs were not pleased. They feared
that they would lose their power and domination
if they left Razia goes unchecked in her ways.
Meanwhile, Razia always stuck to her routine
of riding her horse to be the best in form
whenever the need arose to use a beast in peace
or wartime. Yaqut would act as her escort in her
forays outside the palace and sometimes into the
forest, a fact that did not go unnoticed by her
Amirs. She would constantly talk to Yaqut about
the problems she faced while governing Delhi
and would seek his counsel during the time she
spent with him.
Meanwhile, the Amirs dispatched messengers
to Bhatinda where Altunia ruled on behalf of
Razia. They filled his ears about Yaqut’s love for
Razia in his absence. The enraged Amir Altunia
without a second thought declared his
independence and revolted against the rule of
Razia.
When Razia received the news of Altunia’s
revolt, she was shocked beyond belief. They had
August, 2008 ISLAMIC VISION
known each other for years, and he was the last
person from whom she expected deceit and
treachery.
On April 3, 1240 she marched against Altunia
to quell the revolt. It was the Holy Month of
Ramadan and her troops fasted along the way.
But, the long journey had taken a heavy toll on
her troops and they reached Bhatinda to fight
Altunia's well-organized troops.
The battle was long and fierce. Both sides
fought bravely against one another. The fiercest
fighting took place where Yaqut commanded his
section of troops. Yaqut was hopelessly
outnumbered and killed and it was only a matter
of time before Razia was captured and made a
prisoner by the man who had declared her undying
love towards her.
Once the Amirs got news about Razia’s defeat,
they lost little time in proclaiming Razia’s half-
brother Behram as King. While at Bhatinda,
weeks passed before Altunia and Razia could
come to terms with one another. Altunia realized
that he had acted jealously and provoked a war
with Razia, which demanded from her the duty
of leaving Delhi in the hands of the Amirs and
then march to Bhatinda at the head of her army.
At length, Razia and Altunia married one
another. Their wedding was celebrated at great
pomp and after the banquet that night; Altunia
promised Razia that he would soon march with
her to Delhi along with his army to regain her
throne,
A few days later they rode to Delhi . When
they had covered half the distance they were met
the Sultan Behram’s forces. The battle raged for
hours and both sides were determined to defeat
the other. But Behram’s forces were better
equipped with all the arsenal that she had left in
Delhi started gaining an upper hand over Altunia.
Altunia, in the heat of the battle, was given the
option to surrender for a full pardon by Behram.
But, he preferred to die a warriors death and a
few momentss later, another archer who had
Razia in his sight shot an arrow unerringly in her
heart, and she too fell in the battlefield.
Thus, on October 13, 1240 Sultan Razia was
killed of whom the historian Ferishta wrote: "She
had no fault, but that she was a woman."

43

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August, 2008 ISLAMIC VISION 44