Abortion Due to Fear of Poverty

Questions:

[Q]: O Shaykh the question is in regards to a woman who says that she got preganant and has now reached one month of pregnancy. She claims that due to poverty, she wants to get an abortion. What is the ruling regarding this?

[A]: The Shaykh (May Allaah preserve him) responded by saying:

It is entirely impermissible for her to abort this child.

Allaah 'Azza wa J'al says:

وَلاَ تَقْتُلُواْ أَوْلادَكُمْ خَشْيَةَ إِمْلاقٍ

"Do not kill your offspring for fear of imlaaq (the Shaykh defined imlaaq as poverty)"
[Sooratul-Israa', 17:31]

This verse is a forbidance for them in killing their offspring when they fear poverty, before poverty actually occurs.

Allaah 'Azza wa J'al also says:

وَلاَ تَقْتُلُواْ أَوْلاَدَكُم مِّنْ إمْلاَقٍ

"And do not kill your offspring from imlaaq (poverty)."

[Sooratul-An'am, 6:151]

This is a forbidance for them from killing their children once they are actually experiencing poverty. Allaah 'Azza wa J'al said after the first verse,

نَّحْنُ نَرْزُقُهُمْ وَإِيَّاكُم

"We will sustain them and you,"

then Allaah Azza wa J'al said after the second verse,

نَّحْنُ نَرْزُقُكُمْ وَإِيَّاهُمْ

"And we will sustain you and them".

Allaah Azza wa J'al has promised sustenance for his creation. If they want to have an abortion because of poverty then this is an indication that there is weakness in their dependance on Allaah 'Azza wa J'al. They should know and learn, that every new born is created and along with it, its sustenance is created.

Allaah 'Azza wa J'al says:

إِنَّ اللَّهَ هُوَ الرَّزَّاقُ ذُو الْقُوَّةِ الْمَتِينُ

"Verily Allaah is Ar-Razaaq (The Sustainer), Dhul Quwaa (The Owner of Power) Al-Mateen (The Mighty)"

[Sooratul- Dhariyat, 51:58]

We observe that sometimes when a child's father dies, Allaah 'Azza wa J'al turns the hearts in kindness towards this child, and so sustenance comes to this child from the collections and donations that come from the people, and he ends up with more sustenance than he had when his caring father used to go out and try to provide for him. For these reasons, we say that abortion is impermissible for them.

[taken from a tele-link Q&A session with Ash-Shaykh 'Abdul-'Azeez ibn Yahya al-Bura'ee (hafidhahullaah) and the brothers at Mpubs, Tobago on July 7th 2010]

Some beautiful words of advice from Umm ‘Abdillaah ‘Aaishah Al Waadi’iyyah

Some beautiful words of advice from 

Umm ‘Abdillaah ‘Aaishah Al Waadi’iyyah – hafithahallaah daughter of the late Shaykh Muqbil bin Haadee – rahmatullaahi ‘alaihi

Your Hamm

“O sisters, Upon us is to have mercy upon ourselves. Save yourselves from the
Fire. There is no way out for anyone from the Fitnah that we are in now,
except by sticking to what the Prophet (sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) came
with.”

Hadeeth of Abu Najeeh Al ‘Irbaad bin Sariyyah’ (radhiyallaahu ‘anhu): The
Prophet (sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) admonished us with an intense
sermon which caused our hearts to tremble, and the eyes to shed tears. So,
we said; Yaa Rasoolallaah (sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) this is as if it
were your last sermon. – Al Hadeeth. {Aboo Daawood and others declared it Saheeh}

“There is no way out for anyone except by sticking to the Sunnah which the
Prophet (sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) came with. This holding requires
submission, a complete submission. As believers, it is a must on us. We
have to say regarding any command from Allaah Ta ‘aalaa, and HIS Messenger
(sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam), “Sami’naa wa ata’naa,” (We hear and we
obey), and not like the Yahood (Jews) who said, “We hear and we disobey.”
It is not befitting for the believing man nor the believing woman, when the
Prophet (sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) comes with a decision, that they
have a choice after him.”

“O sisters, the truth is very heavy. Falsehood is light (easy to accept).
It is very heavy, except for those whom Allaah made it easy and
guided them for that.”

Al Hadeeth: Jannah is surrounded by undesirable things. The Fire is
surrounded by desires.

“O sisters, it is upon us that we get used to submitting to Allaah.” Umm
‘Abdillaah (hafidhahallaah) mentioned a poem:

“Your nafs are always wanting if you make it a habit. If you control and
limit yourself, that is what your nafs will get used to.”

“Do not say ‘why’ to the command of Allaah.” Umm ‘Abdillaah
(hafidhahallaah), gave the example of Salaat by saying; “Pray and get used
to it. We are commanded to Fast, so you must Fast, make Hajj and ‘Umrah.
HE, Ta ‘Aalaa, has made certain things compulsory towards the husband and
we do not say why.”

“O sisters, it is up to us to preserve our tongues, especially because the
Prophet (sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) told us the reason why women are
the majority in the Hell Fire. Be more careful than men. Women curse a
lot and have many complaints. It is not a good habit to complain to this
sister, that sister, to this one, and that one. Guard your tongue.”

Gheebah: It is to say something behind the back of your brother, that which
he would not like to have been said, even if it is true, and if it is not
true, then you have slandered him.

“When the believing woman leaves her home, she wears Hijaab, and she leaves
the home properly.”

Allaah Ta ‘Aalaa said: (translated to mean): And Stay in your houses, and do not display yourselves like that of the times of ignorance, and perform As-Salaat and give Zakaat and obey Allaah and His Messenger. Allaah wishes only to remove Ar rijs (evil deeds and sins, etc.) from you, O members of the family (of the Prophet), and to purify you with a thorough purification. 33/33

“Allaah has made it waajib upon us to preserve our ears, and to avoid
listening to songs, Gheebah, and Nameemah. Allaah created us for
‘Eebaadah. The Dunyaa is temporary and attractive. The Prophet
(sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) warned against submitting to the Dunyaa.”

Hamm: Concern, all that you think about and focus on, etc.

“The one whose hamm is the Dunyaa, Allaah will scatter from him, it could be
from his family, his money, etc. All that he will see is poverty. The
person will not attain anything more than what is written for him. Whoever
focuses on the Aakhirah, all your needs will be brought near, and made easy
for you. The believing heart is rich, even if the believer is poor. The
World will come to you, it is forced to you.”

Hadeeth Qudsi: The Prophet (sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) said that Allaah
Subhaanahu Wa Ta’Aalaa said, “O children of Aadam (‘alaihis salaam), if you
rush into worship, I will fill your hearts with Rizq (provision). Do not
neglect, (be alert). If you neglect, I will fill your hands with poverty
and things that will make you busy.”

“Allaah condemned the people who are filled with the Dunyaa. Be careful,
and aware of submitting to the Dunyaa. Sit with As Saalihaat (the pious
women), it has a lot of affects. Go back to submitting to Allaah so that
you will be from Ahlul Jannah. Stick to The Book (The Qur’aan). Seek ‘ilm
of the Islaamic Law. Try to understand the Book of Allaah, it is the best
way to come close to HIM. Be eager and anxious in seeking ‘ilm. Be
careful, do not do a deed until you know whether or not it is Halaal or
Haraam. Do not rush into it until you know.”

Was Salaamun ‘Alaal Mursaleen, Walhamdulillaahi Rabbil ‘Aalameen.
Translated by Umm ‘Abdir Rahmaan Hanim bint Yusef Say (baarakallaahu feehaa).
Advice given via tele-link 2002.

The happy life: Shaykh Saalih al-Fawzaan

How do you purify your intention when seeking knowledge?

So if someone says to you: How does ikhlaas in seeking knowledge come about? It comes about through a (number) of matters:

1 – It is that in doing that (seeking of knowledge), you have as your intention that you are complying with Allaah’s command because Allaah, the Most High, commanded with that (seeking of knowledge). So He said: “Have knowledge that none has the right to be worshipped except Allaah. And seek forgiveness for your sin.” (Soorah Muhammad (47) aayah 19) And he – sall Allaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam –  encouraged [us] upon knowledge; and encouraging upon a matter necessitates loving it and being pleased with it and commanding with it.

2 – It is that in doing that, you intend to preserve the Sharee’ah (Islamic legislation) of Allaah, because preserving the Sharee’ah of Allaah occurs through learning, and it comes about through preserving [it] in the chests [of people], and it comes about through writing down, writing down the books.

3 – It is that in doing that, you intend to protect the Sharee’ah and defend it, because were it not for the people of knowledge, then the Sharee’ah would not have been protected and no one would have defended it. And therefore you find, for example, Shaykh ul Islaam ibn Taymiyyah and other than him from the people of knowledge who resisted and blocked the people of innovation and clarified the false and futile nature of their innovations, we see that they (these people of knowledge) attained a great deal of good.

4 – It is that in doing that, your intention is to be following the Sharee’ah of Muhammad - sall Allaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam – because you are not able to follow his Sharee’ah until you have knowledge of this Sharee’ah.

(From The Explanation of the Etiquette of Seeking Knowledge of Shaykh al Uthaymeen, p14, translator Nasser ibn Najam)

First ten days of Dhul Hijjah By Abu Uwais

First ten days of Dhul Hijjah By Abu Uwais

A Short Essay Outlining the Excellent Virtues and Rewards for Righteous Deeds in the Month of Dhul-Hijjah

A Short Essay Outlining the Excellent Virtues and Rewards for Righteous Deeds in the Month of Dhul-Hijjah


DOING GOOD DEEDS IN GENERAL:

The first ten days of Dhul-Hijjah are the best and most virtuous days of the year. They are the days in which Allaah the Mighty and Majestic - most loves the doing of good deeds. About this the Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “The best days in the world are the ten days.” [1]

Imaam Ibnul-Qayyim (d.751H) - rahimahullaah – said, “Indeed, its days are the most excellent of all the days with Allaah. And it has been confirmed in Saheehul-Bukhaaree (2/382), from Ibn ’Abbaas (radiyallaahu ’anhumaa) who said, that Allaah’s Messenger (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “There ore no days during which good deeds are more beloved to Allaah than these (ten) days.” He was then asked, ‘Not even jihaad in the path of Allaah?’ So he replied, “Not even jihaad in the path of Allaah, except for a person who goes out with his self and his wealth, and comes back with nothing.”

And it is these ten days that Allaah has taken an oath by in His Book, by His saying,

{By the Dawn and by the Ten Nights.} {Sooratul-Fajr 89:1-2}

This is why it is recommended to increase in making takbeer (saying Allaahu akbar), tahleel (saying Laa ilaaha illallaah) and tamheed (saying Alhamdulillaah) during these days ...” [2]

The Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “There are no days that are greater with Allaah, and in which good deeds are more beloved to Him, than these ten days. So increase in making tasbeeh (saying Subhaanallaah), tamheed, tahleel and takbeer, during them.” [3]


FASTING THE DAY OF ’ARAFAH:

The ninth day of Dhul-Hijjah is the day of ’Arafah, since it is on this day that the pilgrims gather at the mountain plain of ’Arafah, praying and supplicating to their Lord. It is mustahabb (highly recommended) for those who are not pilgrims to fast on this day, since the Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) was asked about fasting on the day of ’Arafah, so he said, 

“It expiates the sins of the past year and the coming year.” [4]

Likewise, the Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, ‘There is no day on which Allaah frees people from the Fire more so than on the day of ’Arafah. He comes close to those (people standing on ’Arafah), and then He revels before His Angels saying, ‘What are these people seeking.” [5]

Imaam at-Tirmidhee (d.275H) - rahimahullaah – said, “The People of Knowledge consider it recommended to fast on the day of ’Arafah, except for those at ’Arafah.” [6]


SLAUGHTERING ON THE DAY OF AN-NAHR AND ’EEDUL-ADHAA OR THE FOLLOWING THREE DAYS:

The tenth day of Dhul-Hiijah is known as the day of an-Nahr (slaughtering), since it marks the ending of the major rites of Hajj (Pilgrimage), and commemorates the bounty and mercy of Allaah - the Most High - in that He gave His beloved Prophet Ibraaheem - ’alayhis-salaam - a ram to sacrifice in place of his firstborn son Ismaa’eel - ’alayhis-salaam. And out of the ten best days of the year, it is the day of an-Nahr which is the most excellent day of the year with Allaah.

Shaykhul-Islaam Ibn Taymiyyah (d.728H) - rahimahullaah – said, “The most excellent day of the week is the day of Friday, by the agreement of the Scholars. And the most excellent day of the year is the day of an-Nahr. And some of them said that it is the day of ’Arafah. However, the first opinion is the correct one, since it is related in the Sunan collections that the Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “The most excellent days with Allaah is the day of an-Nahr, then the day of al-Qarr (the day that the Muslims reside in Minaa).” [7]” [8]

The Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “The greatest day of the Hajj (Pilgrimage) is the Day of an-Nahr (Slaughtering).” [9]

The day of an-Nahr is also known as ’Eedul-Adhaa (the Festivity of Sacrifice) and is one of the two major festivals that Allaah has granted to this Ummah. Anas (radiyallaahu ’anhu) said, ‘The Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) came to al-Madeenah and the people of al-Madeenah had - since the times of jaahiliyyah (Pre-lslaamic Ignorance) - two days which they marked out for play and amusement. So the Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, ‘I came to you, and you had two days of play and amusement in the times of jaahiliyyah. But Allaah has replaced them with something better for you: The day of al-Adhaa (sacrificing) and the day of al-Fitr (ending the Fast).” [10]

The Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) also said, “The day of al-Fitr, and the day of an-Nahr, and the days of at-Tashreeq (the three days after an-Nahr) are our days of ’Eed (festivity); and they are days of eating and drinking.” [11]

’Eedul-Adhaa, is a day in which the Muslims slaughter a camel, cow, sheep or goat, in commemoration of the sacrifice of Ibraaheem - ’alayis-salaam. And this sacrifice is an obligation upon all those who have the means to do so - according to the most correct opinion of the Scholars. [12] The basis of this is the Prophet’s (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) saying, “One who has the ability to sacrifice, but chooses not to do so, should not approach our place of (’Eed) Prayer.” [13] And his (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) saying, “Whosoever sacrificed before the Prayer, then let him do so again. But whosoever has not sacrificed, then let him sacrifice.” [14] So this order refers to those who have the ability to do so - and Allaah knows best.

As regards those who intends to sacrifice - normally the head of the household - then they are prohibited from cutting their hair or nails, starting from the first day of Dhul-Hijjah up until after the sacrifice. Allaah’s Messenger (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “When the ten days start, and one of you intends to sacrifice, then let him not cut his hair or his nails.” [15]


GLORIFYING ALLAAH WITH THE TAKBEER:

From the day of ’Arafah (the 9th of Dhul-Hijjah), up until the ’Asr Prayer on the thirteen day, are days in which the takbeeraat (saying Allaahu Akbar) should be said. Imaam al-Khattaabee (d.456H) - rahimahullaah – said, “The wisdom behind saying the takbeeraat in these days is that in the times of jaahiliyyah (pre-lslaamic ignorance), they used to slaughter for their tawaagheet (false objects of worship). So the takbeeraat were prescribed in order to indicate that the act of slaughtering is directed to Allaah alone, and by mentioning only His - the Mighty and Majestic - Name.” [16]

Shaykhul-lslaam Ibn Taymiyyah - rahimahullaah – said, “All praise be to Allaah. The most correct saying concerning the takbeer - that which the majority of the Salaf (Pious Predecessors), and the Scholars from the Companions and Imaams were upon - is to begin making the takbeer from Fajr (dawn) on the day of ’Arafah, up until the last day of at-Tashreeq (the thirteenth of Dhul-Hijjah), after every Prayer.” [17]

Ibn Abee Shaybah relates, “That ’Alee (radiyallaahu ’anhu) used to make the takbeer beginning after the Fajr Prayer on the day of ’Arafah, up until after the ’Asr Prayer on the last day of at-Tashreeq.” [18]

As regards the actual wording of the takbeeraat, then nothing authentic has been related from the Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam). However, certain wordings have been authentically related from a group of Companions. From them:

Ibn Mas’ood (radiyallaahu ’anhu) would say, “Allaah is great, Allaah is great. None has the right to be worshipped except Him. And Allaah is great, Allaah is great. And to Him belongs all praise. [Allaahu akbar, Allaahu akbar, Allaahu akbar, Laa ilaahaa illallaah, wallaahu akbar, Allaahu akbar wa lillaahil-hamd.]” [19]

Ibn ’Abbaas (radiyallaahu ’anhu) said, “Allaah is great, Allaah is great, Allaah is great, and to Allaah belongs all praise. Allaah is greater and Sublime. Allaah is greater to what He has guided us to. [Allaahu akbar, Allaahu akbar, Allaahu akbar, wa lillaahil-hamd. Allaahu akbar wa ajalla. Allaahu akbar ’alaa maa hadaanaa.]” [20]

Unfortunately, many Muslims have neglected the takbeer established from our Salaf (Pious Predecessors) and have instead resorted to additions which have no basis at all.

Al-Haafidh Ibn Hajr (d.856H) - rahimahullaah – said, “Indeed, additions have been invented upon this day, which have no basis at all.” [21]

And may Allaah have mercy upon the one who said,

“Every good is in following the Salaf; And every evil is in the innovations of the late-comers.”

And all praise is for Allaah, Lord of the worlds. And may Allaah extol and send the choicest blessings of peace upon our Leader, Muhammad, and upon his Family, his Companions, and all those who follow them.

http://www.troid.ca/index.php/ibaadah/hajj-and-umrah/1242-the-month-of-dhul-hijjah

Footnotes:

[1] Saheeh: Related by al-Bazzaar (1/234). It was authenticated by Shaykh al-Albaanee in Saheehul-Jaami’ (no. 1133).
[2] Refer to Zaadul-Ma’aad (1/56).
[3] Saheeh: Related by at-Tabaraanee in al-Kabeer (3/110/1) It was authenticated by al-Mundharee in at-Targheeb wat-Tarheeb (2/24).
[4] Related by Muslim (no. 1162), from Aboo Qataadah (radiyallaahu ’anhu).
[5] Related by Muslim (no. 1348), from ’Aa‘ishah (radiyallaahu ’anhaa).
[6] Refer to Jaami’ut-Tirmidhee (3/377).
[7] Saheeh: Related by Aboo Daawood (no. 1765), from ’Abdullaah Ibn Qart (radiyallaahu ’anhu). It was authenticated by al-Albaanee in Irwaa‘ul-Ghaleel (no. 2018).
[8] Refer to Majmoo’ul-Fataawaa (25/288).
[9] Saheeh: Related by Aboo Daawood (no. 1945), from Ibn ’Umar (radiyallaahu ’anhu). It was authenticated by al-Albaanee in al-lrwaa‘ (no. 1101).
[10] Saheeh: Related by Ahmad (3/103).it was authenticated by al-Haafidh Ibn Hajr in Bulooghul-Maraam (no. 398).
[11] Saheeh: Related by Ahmad (no. 1945), from ’Uqbah Ibn ’Aamir (radiyallaahu ’anhu). It was authenticated by al-Albaanee in Saheehul-Jaami’ (no. 8192).
[12] As explained by Ibn Taymiyyah in Majmoo’ul-Fataawaa (23/162-164).
[13] Hasan: Related by Ibn Maajah (no. 3123), from Aboo Hurayrah (radiyallaahu ’anhu). It was authenticated by Shaykh al-Albaanee in Takhreej Mushkilatul-Fiqr (no. 398).
[14] Related by al-Bukhaaree (no. 5562) and Muslim (no. 1960), from Jundub Ibn ’Abdullaah al-Bajalee (radiyallaahu ’anhu).
[15] Related by Muslim (no. 1977), from Umm Salamah (radiyallaahu ’anhaa).
[16] Quoted from Fathul-Baaree (21/586).
[17] Majmoo’ul-Fataawaa (24/220). However, what seems more correct is not to restrict the takbeeraat to being just after every Prayer, as al-Haafidh Ibn Hajr pointed out in Fathul-Baaree (21/587).
[18] Related by Ibn Abee Shaybah in al-Musannaf (2/1/2). It was authenticated by al-Albaanee in al-lrwaa‘ (31/125).
[19] Related by Ibn Abee Shaybah with an authentic chain of narration
[20] Related by al-Bayhaqee (3/315) with an authentic chain of narration.
[21] Fathul-Baaree (2/536).