Islamic Law

Bismillahir Rahmaanir Raheem

Hazrat Maulana Yunus Patel Saheb (Rahmatullahi 'alayh)

We want Islamic law to conform to our liking, so much so that we will find some Fatwa (Islamic ruling or verdict) to justify our actions.

The ordinary laymen, and so too many who are highly qualified in the secular field, read the Qur`aan Shareef and authentic Hadeeth kitaabs^[1] such as Sahih Bukhari and Sahih Muslim, and find some Ayah (verse) or Hadeeth to justify their actions.

Often, the Ayah or Hadeeth is taken out of context and expounded to justify grave and major sins. 

Each Ayah and Hadeeth has an explanation and commentary. If there was no need for explanations, we would not have had Allama Sayyid Mahmood Baghdadi (Rahmatullahi ‘alayh), Ibn Katheer (Rahmatullahi ‘alayh) and other Mufassireen (commentators of the Qur`aan Shareef), or Hafez Asqalani (Rahmatullahi ‘alayh), Mulla Ali Qaari (Rahmatullahi ‘alayh) and other Muhadditheen<sup>[2]</sup> writing volumes in commentary. Therefore, to just read and present an Ayah from the Qur`aan Shareef or a Hadeeth from a kitaab is not sufficient to justify one’s actions.

Despite the fact that there are so many law books and medical journals at the disposal of the layman, not everyone is qualified to understand or explain and interpret these. One has to spend many years in study and research under one already qualified in the field of law, medicine, etc. before one can do so. …If some quack has to give a wrong opinion or an incorrect diagnosis, he would be sued for malpractice. 

So in the field of Ifta^[3], only those qualified in the science of Qur`aan and Hadeeth may issue verdicts. No matter how many certificates, degrees and other qualifications and titles a person may have acquired in the secular field, these do not then give him (or her) the license and authority to issue Fatwas (rulings) in the sphere of religion.

…Then there are so many who have a superficial knowledge of just the Arabic language but consider themselves qualified to interpret the Qur`aan Shareef and Ahaadeeth.

The Sahaba-e-Kiraam (Radhiyallahu ‘anhum), who were perfectly acquainted and versant in the language of Arabic, were still required to formally learn the Qur`aan Shareef from Rasulullah (Sallallaahu ‘alaihi wasallam). It would therefore be false and arrogant of a person, with a basic study of Arabic, to lay claim to having more knowledge and understanding than the noble Sahabah (Radhiyallahu ‘anhum), by presenting his own commentary of the Qur`aan Shareef. 

There are so many who have not studied Shari'ah under the guidance of Ulama-e-Haq, who reject the teachings of the Mujtahideen^[4] and present their own concocted theories and commentaries; others are quick to quote Ayaah and Ahaadeeth in support of their sinful actions, or misinterpret the same. Such people should seriously heed the warnings of Rasulullah (Sallallaahu ‘alaihi wasallam) in regard to their careless and erroneous statements and ignorant behaviour.

Rasulullah (Sallallaahu ‘alaihi wasallam) said: “Whosoever, in interpreting the Qur`aan, says therein anything of his own opinion commits a mistake even if he is correct.”^[5]

In another narration, Rasulullah (Sallallaahu ‘alaihi wasallam) mentioned: “Whoso interprets the Qur`aan without knowledge, let him seek his abode in the Fire.”^[6]                                               

And: “Whoso interprets the Qur`aan according to his opinion, let him seek his abode in the Fire.”^[7]

In regard to misquoting Ahaadeeth, Rasulullah (Sallallaahu ‘alaihi wasallam) stated explicitly : “Be careful of (narrating) traditions from me except what you know. Whoso imputes falsehood to me intentionally, let him then seek his abode in the fire.”^[8] 

Yes, when it comes to etiquette, character, the stories of the Ambiyaa (Alaihimus Salaam)  and nations of the past, the causes of rise and decline; paradise and hell, reward and retribution, then read and quote authentic Tafseer or translation; but when it comes to the laws of Shariah, Fatawa (Islamic rulings), commentary of Qur`aan and Hadeeth, leave it to those who have spent years mastering these sciences and are experts in these fields.

Nowadays, the title of ‘Mufti’^[9] has also become very cheap. Some spend a few months or a year in a Darul Ifta^[10] and become rubber stamp “Mufti so and so”. Before enquiring about matters pertaining to Deen, verify the person’s qualifications, just as we do in worldly matters.

…Women have a weakness, that if a woman gives a powerful speech on a subject, having read some Islamic books, she is asked questions on all subjects. The speaker too, will sometimes reply to all questions, even though unaware or ignorant.

Just giving a good speech is no qualification to answer all questions on the Qur`aan Shareef and Sunnah of Rasulullah (Sallallaahu ‘alaihi wasallam).

We should be cautious and selective regarding whom we acquire Ilm-e-Deen^[11] from. 

…There is a famous statement of Muhammad bin Sireen (Rahmatullahi ‘alayh): “This knowledge is a matter of Deen, so be careful who you take your Deen from.”

We should keep these points in mind and we should also not lay claim to qualifications we do not possess.

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[1] kitaabs : books                                      [2] Muhadditheen : Scholars of Hadith

[3] Ifta : Legal Shar’i injunctions            [4] Mujtahideen : Scholars certified as capable to interpret Islamic Law

[5] Abu Dawood                                         [6] Tirmidhi

[7] Tirmidhi                                                [8] Tirmidhi

[9] Mufti : Muslim Jurist                         

[10] Darul Ifta : Institution offering a course concentrating on Islamic Law and passing verdicts 

[11] Ilm-e-Deen : knowledge of religion

Quitting smoking, drinking, drug-taking or gambling...

Bismihi Ta'ala

“Anything that takes a person away from the obedience and remembrance of Allah Ta’ala, can neither contain any goodness, nor have any merit. Negligence in one’s relationship with Allah Ta’ala inevitably draws loss upon loss, in this world and the next.”

“Kicking the Habit” is a compilation of different prescriptions and advices given by Hazrat Maulana Yunus Patel (Rahmatullahi ‘alayh) which were found to be extremely beneficial for those sincerely wanting to quit their bad habits of smoking, drinking, drug-taking or gambling.

This book will motivate those who read it with an open mind and are keen to give up their bad habits, Insha-Allah.

Read the book here

Mockery of Deen

Bismihi Ta’ala 

There are many people who, despite their claims to Islam, seek to find fault with or disparage its teachings or beliefs, or make a mockery of Islam.

In the early days, we use to travel to India by boat. It took us 21 days to reach Bombay. During my third year, when I was travelling back to India, I met a doctor on board the boat. In conversation he said to me: “Maulana, you people talk about the angels;   that each person has an angel on his right shoulder and on his left shoulder and these angels record the deeds of a person. If this is the situation, then our shoulders would have been so broad that we would not have found a coat to fit us!”

In turn, I questioned him: “You must have attended school?”

He replied : “Yes.”

I asked: “From class one to matric?”

He replied : “Yes.”

I said : “You furthered your studies, doing medicine?”

Again, he said : “Yes.”

I continued: “You attended University, travelled to different countries? I am sure you remember all this?”

Again : “ Yes.”

I said : “If I were to take you to your hometown, you will remember much. All this knowledge which you acquired during your life, through your studies and travels, where is it? It is stored in the brain. Yet, if the situation is as you say it is, then your head would have been so big that you would not have found a hat to fit it.”

Alhamdulillah, Allah Ta’ala put this response in my mind, which Insha-Allah, disproved the person’s crooked mentality and thinking.

…Sarcasm or cynicism in regards to Deen is extremely dangerous. It takes one to the threshold of Kufr; sometimes even out of the fold of Islam. If a person says that he believes, it means that he hears and understands and accepts that there are many things which are beyond the human intellect. Imaan is “bil ghayb” (in the unseen).

There are many things which we do not see, but which we believe exists. The air that we breath, the different bacteria and germs in the atmosphere, which the eye does not see, but science has informed us of its existence or we see the signs of it. The signs of Allah Ta’ala are all around us; even in us.

“On the earth are signs for those of assured Faith, As also in your own selves :

 Will you not then see?”

[Surah Zariyat 51 : 20/21]

We may not see the angels, or the pulsiraat, or Jannah and Jahannum, but Rasulullah (Sallallaahu ‘alayhi wasallam) was the one who saw the unseen. And our Imaan is in Rasulullah (SallAllaahu ‘alayhi wasallam).

Just as it is the duty of the blind person to put his hand into the hand of the one who sees – that is, if he wants direction, guidance and wants to reach his destination safely, so too, it is our duty to put our hands into the hand of Rasulullah (SallAllaahu ‘alayhi wasallam) – meaning that we hear, accept and obey.

Otherwise, criticizing and mocking any aspect of Deen is indirectly mocking or finding fault with the Creator of the Deen; with grievous consequences.

May Allah Ta’ala grant us the understanding, as well as appreciation for the beautiful and perfect Deen of Islam.

Hazrat Maulana Yunus Patel Saheb (Rahmatullahi ‘alayh)

Audio : Sihr and Jinn

Bismihi Ta'ala

3rd Quarter 2000 - 8th Programme on the list

Sihr and Jinn Obsession

Bismihi Ta'ala

There are many, many people – especially women – who have the suspicion that someone has done some witchcraft on them, on their children and husbands, or that they are being troubled by some Jinn.

…There is no doubt that some people may genuinely be afflicted with Sihr or Jinn, who may require some treatment. However, the opinion, assumption and diagnosis that every ailment, difficulty or problem stems from sihr and jinn has become a fixation and an obsession for so many.

The solution that many people then resort to is visiting the many Aamils^[1] who frequent our shores. Whilst there are some very sincere and pious Aamils, the majority are into it as a business and trade. 

And it’s big business. Bringing in big money. And it has also become an undercover trade – where women are exploited and in some cases, sexually abused.

How many write and phone, wanting some guidance or help, or they want to verify.

…One person said that an Aamil told him that he was possessed by 6 Jinn and to catch and tie them all up, will cost him R6000 a jinn. When he asked my opinion, I told him in humour: ‘Six jinns in you would have had you dancing. But you are very calm and relaxed. Tell the Aamil that he must first catch and tie them up, thereafter show them all to you, before payment.’ – I then told him that it is nothing but a con.

It is one big fiasco, with thousands being swindled from naïve and gullible Muslims.

One brother e-mailed, saying that he moved into a new home, and an Aamil told him that his new house needs to be ‘cleaned’ – and it will cost R1000. He wanted to know what he should do ….

One husband related that his wife visited some Aamil. She was put into some trance and was told to remove her clothes … and such, such happenings that leave you totally stunned.

How can husbands allow their women to just visit anyone – and be alone with a man – whom they barely know?

Trust is a lost entity.

And to think that despite all the warnings, people still go back – and they hop from one Aamil to another, to another – and what could have just been a small problem – becomes a traumatising experience. We make mountains out of molehills and then our lives are consumed with visits to Aamils, treatments, taweez^[2] and other amaliyat (incantations). …Sometimes the problem is not even solved.

This is what happens when we cannot appreciate the simple solutions and prescriptions of Shariah. We are told that if we suspect anything like sihr (witchcraft) or jinn, then Ayatul Kursi^[3] and the 3 Quls suffice from all harm and mischief.

But it seems we have more trust and confidence in Aamils than in Allah Ta’ala! ( Nauzu Billah) 

Moreover, most of the time, there are many lies spoken and the person is led to even believe that his mother or sister or someone close is doing some kind of witchcraft. There is mistrust and suspicion which is unwarranted and sinful. And this leads to enmity and even severance of family ties.[4]

These weaknesses demand attention and correction because they result in many grave sins. 

Allah Ta’ala has explicitly instructed:

“O you who believe! Avoid much suspicion;  for some suspicion is a sin.”

[Surah Hujurat 49.12]

Rasulullah (Sallallaahu 'alayhi wasallam) said, "Avoid suspicion, indeed expressing suspicions is the worst lie."[5]

CLICK HERE FOR PRESCRIPTION FOR SIHR / JINN

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[1] Aamils : Those who treat people afflicted by witchcraft/ influence of jinn

[2] Taweez : amulet

[3] Ayatul Kursi :  An ayat of protection. Surah 2 : 225

[4] Listen to the talk : “Clearing the misunderstandings about Sihr and Black magic, Taweez and Istikhara”. Download and listen from website: http://YunusPatel.co.za

[5] Sahih Bukhari

Prescription for Sihr / Jinn

Bismihi Ta'ala

The following is a prescription which Hazrat Maulana Yunus Patel (Rahmatullahi ‘alayh) would give to those who complained of Sihr and Jinn. Hazrat Maulana (RA) would say that this prescription will, Insha-Allah, suffice as a protection from any evil elements that may be present.

Every morning and evening read the following :

3 x Durood Shareef

3 x Ayatul Kursi

3 x 3 Surah Al-Ikhlaas, Surah Al-Falaq and Surah An-Naas

11 x La Haula wala Quwata Illah Billah

3 x Durood Shareef.

Blow over your body. Blow on water and drink.