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Q: If I already have wudhu, will I be rewarded for making another wudhu? A: If one is in the state of wudhu and he wishes to make another wudhu, it will be permissible and rewarding for him provided that after making the first wudhu, he had carried out some ibaadat which is such that wudhu is a precondition for its validity e.g. he performed salaah, made sajdah tilaawat, etc. If he did not carry out any ibaadat which is such that wudhu is a precondition for its validity, it will not be permissible for him to make a second wudhu. Making a second wudhu at this time will not earn him reward. Rather, it will only be a wastage of water. And Allah Ta'ala (الله تعالى) knows best. إن الوضوء عبادة غير مقصودة لذاتها فإذا لم يؤد به عمل مما هو المقصود من شرعيته كالصلاة وسجدة التلاوة ومس المصحف ينبغي أن لا يشرع تكراره قربة؛ لكونه غير مقصود لذاته فيكون إسرافا محضا (رد المحتار 1/119) قال الحلبي في شرح المنية: أطبقوا على أن الوضوء عبادة غير مقصودة لذاتها فإذا لم يؤد به عمل مما هو المقصود من شرعيته كالصلاة وسجدة التلاوة ومس المصحف ينبغي أن لا يشرع تكراره قربة لكونه غير مقصود لذاته فيكون إسرافا محضا اهـ فليتأمل (منحة الخالق 1/24) Answered by: Mufti Zakaria Makada Checked & Approved: Mufti Ebrahim Salejee (Isipingo Beach)

Roles & Responsibilites towards each other Both the husband and wife have duties and responsibilities towards each other. Duties of the husband A man asked the Prophet, “What are the right of the woman over her husband?” He said, “That he should feed her as he feeds himself and clothe her as he clothes himself; he should not strike her on the face nor disfigure her, and he should not abandon her except in the house (as a form of discipline).” (Ibn Majah) "The best of you is the best to his wives, and I am the best of you to my wives” (Tirmidhi) It is the husband’s responsibility to provide for his wife – food, clothes and shelter- according to his means even if the wife is rich and has her own money. He must also provide household items and her personal items. It is also his duty to treat her well with justice. Regarding living quarters, he must provide something where she has privacy if the couple are living with others i.e. a room within the house where no one enters Women are made from the Rib The Prophet sallallaahu 'alayhiw asallam said, "Whoever believes in Allah and the Last Day should not hurt (trouble) his neighbor. And I advise you to take care of the women, for they are created from a rib and the most crooked portion of the rib is its upper part; if you try to straighten it, it will break, and if you leave it, it will remain crooked, so I urge you to take care of the women." (Bukhari) The ribs play a very important part in our body protecting the vital organs of the body. They are made from bone and cartilage which helps in expanding and detracting during respiration. The characteristics of women are very similar to how the rib is. As women we change roles as we go along i.e. mother, wife, sister, daughter, teacher, etc. We are resilient, flexible and accommodating. We are shock absorbers who help our spouses and children in times of anxiety. Many women are above their heads in stress yet still carry on. Allah ta’ala gives this strength and has made us so we are conducive to who we are in life so this should make us confident however we should seek His help and make Du’a for ease. Men ar Caretakers of women Allah says in Surah NIsaa', verse 34, "Men are overseers over women because Allah has given the one more strength than other, and because men are required to spend their wealth for the maintenance of women" قَوَّام is an intensive form of verb and قائِم is one who is responsible / caretaker of everything. The form قَوَّام is more comprehensive than قائِم. It combines the physical protection and financial maintenance as well as moral responsibility a man has over his family. Therefore, it means men shall take full care of women, mentally, physically and financially regardless of whether he likes it or not. It does not have anything to do with men treating women like they are masters and women are slaves. The standard role of a man regarding women has been mentioned in this verse however we all know women can become queens of their homes too but because Allah ta’ala has given men this responsibility as a primary caretaker of the household, then we need to give respect to that rule. There will be discord when women step into this role as some women (especially as a first born who was given responsibilities) step into this role after marriage. In any organisation or system, big or small, there can be only one Imam. There cannot be two Imams making decisions at the same time. Allah ta’ala, in His infinite wisdom selected men for this responsibility because it is in their natural capability. Women who understand this will be confident of the roles given to men and women by Allah ta’ala as our Deen is designed to make every aspect of our lives successful. Having no rules or boundaries and following the Nafs leads to broken homes. Men also often get frustrated with some of the habits of women especially those related to the monthly cycle of women. Though we are made that way by Allah ta’ala, it does not give us the right to be disrespectful. We should take an account of ourselves and try to be less emotional. Having said that it is not fair of husbands to demand their wives to be less emotional or for their wives to be any particular way because just as a rib cannot bend any further than what Allah ta’ala has designated, women too are created a certain way and cannot be changed further than what Allah ta’ala has designated. Duties of the wife It is Waajib for the wife to be obedient to her husband except when he orders you to disobey Allah as there is no obedience to anyone in the disobedience to Allah. She must guard her chastity and his possessions when he is away She should look after the household duties and children while the husband works. This does not mean she is his slave. She should do it with love to please Allah. Rule regarding housework If the wife comes from a home where they employed someone to cook, clean, etc. then it is Waajib on the husband to employ someone for her to do the housework. If she comes from a home where the women of the house did the housework then he does not have to employ someone for her to do the housework. Respect for the Husband Nabi sallallaahu ‘alayhi wasallam said, “It is not appropriate for anyone to prostrate to anyone else. If it were appropriate for anyone to prostrate to anyone else, I would have instructed the wife to prostrate to her husband, because of the great rights that Allah has given him over her.” Pleasing Husband leads to Jannah “Any woman who passes away and her husband is pleased with her will enter Jannah” (Tirmidhi) “If a woman prays her five prayers, fasts her month of Ramadan, guards her chastity, and obeys her husband, she will enter Paradise from any gate she wishes.” Someone asked, which of women is best? Nabi sallallaahu ‘alayhi wasallam said, “The one who makes (her husband) happy when he looks at her, obeys him when he tells her to do something, and does not disobey him with regard to herself or her wealth in a way that he dislikes.” (Nasai) Allah designated the Roles & Responsibilities Allah ta’ala gives roles to those who are best at them. We as women need to be very content that our role is designed by Allah ta’ala because He is all-Wise and All-Knowing. We should be confident that this is what we need to perfect our Imaan. We are the future of the Ummah and we can change our Ummah with our character. We need to play the roles given to us by Allah ta’ala and Nabi sallallaahu ‘alayhi wasallam and stop being what other people want us to be. Advises for the wife Be loyal Do not be disobedient Dress up/perfume yourself for husband Do not demand clothes, jewellery, etc. especially of he cannot afford it Do not use foul language, anger or remind the husband about favours you may have done or mistakes he may have made Be polite and serve his parents and family – treat them as your own Polygamy It is permissible for a man to have up to four wives however he must treat then with justice and equality in everything. All his wives will have the same rights over him

Benefits of Nikah Allah ta'ala says in Surah Room, verse 21 وَمِنْ ءَايَـٰتِهِۦٓ أَنْ خَلَقَ لَكُم مِّنْ أَنفُسِكُمْ أَزْوَٰجًا لِّتَسْكُنُوٓا۟ إِلَيْهَا وَجَعَلَ بَيْنَكُم مَّوَدَّةً وَرَحْمَةً ۚ إِنَّ فِى ذَٰلِكَ لَـَٔايَـٰتٍ لِّقَوْمٍ يَتَفَكَّرُونَ And of His signs, another one is that He created for you mates from among yourselves that you may find rest with them, and He planted love and mercy in your hearts; surely there are signs in this for those who think about it. Nikah is a manifestation of the power and might of Allah ta’ala as Allah ta’ala says from among His signs is that He has created wives (أَزْوَاج) for them from among themselves. Therefore, when people marry, the couple are a walking, talking sign of Allah ta’ala and so we should exist as such by presenting to the world a beautiful sign. We would be betraying this verse if we live contrary to this. Three things are mentioned in this verse as a benefit of Nikah, Sukoon (tranquillity), Mawaddah (love) and Rahmah (mercy). These three things can only be found in the sacred bond of Nikah. The lives of two people together without this sacred bond will be void of these three things سُكُون – tranquillity, comes with understanding each other’s rights and responsibilities towards each other. If we proclaim only our rights, it will not lead to Sukoon and instead will lead to fights. مَوَدَّة is intense longing – there are different types of love. The love between spouses is an affectionate, two-sided love with both physical and emotional intimacy. Both love each other and support and look out for each other’s welfare. رَحْمَة is compassion/mercy – love alone cannot be the driving force in a marriage. Certain commentators have mentioned that the word “love” refers specifically to the early stages of a marriage physical love is dominant. With time it diminishes and is replaced by mercy/compassion as the couple age together and care for each other. Therefore, for a successful marriage, both love and mercy are necessary. For a successful marriage, both love and mercy as well as forgiveness are necessary. Allah ta’ala overlooks and forgives our mistakes and give us other chances despite the deficiency in our worship and shortcomings in our deeds. He forgives even when we are not deserving. The spouses should similarly overlook and forgive each other even when not deserving. We expect our spouses to be our dream come true, but how many of us are dream-servants of our Lord? Modern Muslim women complain that the Qur’an is only for men however there are subtle points hidden in the verses. Here Allah ta’ala says He has created wives so that the men may find peace. This shows the power of women as women control whether the home is peaceful or otherwise. She can be a source of peace if she herself is at peace. Women are expressive and their feelings are reflected in the home and with their husbands and children. Therefore, if men wish for their wives to be a source of peace then treating them well will ensure they are at peace which will be reflected in the home. The Prophet sallallaahu ‘alayhi wasallam said, “After fear for Allah, the believer cannot receive a boon greater than a good wife. If he instructs her to do something, she obeys, and she pleases him when he looks at her. If he takes an oath, she aids him to fulfil the oath and, if he has to be out, she takes care of her chastity and his property.” [Mishkat] The Prophet sallallaahu ‘alayhi wasallam said, “No believing man should detest his believing wife. If he dislikes some trait in her, he should then take a liking to another trait.” [Muslim] Spouses are a Garment for each other Allah says in Surah Baqarah, verse 187 هُنَّ لِبَاسٌ لَّكُمْ وَأَنتُمْ لِبَاسٌ لَّهُنَّ - they are as a garment for you, and you are as a garment for them • Garments cover the Satr – similarly the spouses should cover each other’s faults and shortcomings • Garments safeguards against elements – spouses should be a protection for each other in every way; financially, emotionally and intimately. They should be a protection for each other’s Imaan. • Modesty – as garments are a means of modesty (Hayaa), spouses should be a means of protection of chastity • Beauty/Honour – as garments are a means of beatification and honour for a person, spouses should be a source of honour and beauty for each other • Pleasure – as wearing garments bring happiness, spouses should be a source of happiness when they look at each other • Intimacy – garments are closest to a person’s skin so similarly spouses should have a close relationship

Encouragment of Nikah (Marriage) Nikah is extremely important. It is a 24 hour ‘Ibaadah (worship) which includes the mundane and has tremendous potential of reward for both the husband and the wife. It is a Sunnah of all the previous Ambiyaa AS and our Nabi sallallaahu ‘alayhi wasallam who stressed on Nikah and practically showed us by his example (exceptions are ‘Isaa AS who will marry when he returns to earth before the Day of Judgment and Yahya AS) Nikah is part of Sunnah Nabi sallallaahu ‘alayhi wasallam said, “Marriage is part of my sunnah and whoever does not follow my sunnah has nothing to do with me” (Ibn Majah) A group of young men told to marry if they have the means or fast “O young men, whoever among you can afford it, let him get married, for it is more effective in lowering the gaze and guarding one's chastity. Whoever cannot afford it, let him fast, for it will diminish his desire.” (Ibn Majah) Nikah perfects a person's Imaan "Whoever Allah provides witha righteous wife, Allah has assisted him in half of religion. Let him fear Allah regarding the second half" (Bayhaqi) This Hadith is sometimes misinterpreted however Muhadditheen say Nikah is Takmeerul Imaan, it perfects a person’s Imaan. This Hadith highlights the importance of Nikah and the influence it has on a person’s social and spiritual life. Some say Nikah helps allocate a person’s sexual desire in a Halaal way. Imam Ghazali (Rahimahullah) says the sexual organs and the stomach are the most destructive factors to a person’s Imaan. So this desire is curbed with Nikah and the other half, the stomach, can be curbed by eating less. Nikah is not contrary to Taqwa Anas (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Three men came to the houses of the wives of the Prophet (ﷺ) to inquire about the worship of the Prophet (ﷺ). When they were informed, they considered their worship insignificant and said: "Where are we in comparison with the Prophet (ﷺ) while Allah has forgiven his past sins and future sins". One of them said: "As for me, I shall offer Salat all night long." Another said: "I shall observe Saum (fasting) continuously and shall not break it". Another said: "I shall abstain from women and shall never marry". The Prophet (ﷺ) came to them and said, "Are you the people who said such and such things? By Allah, I fear Allah more than you do, and I am most obedient and dutiful among you to Him, but still I observe fast and break it; perform Salat and sleep at night and take wives. So whoever turns away from my Sunnah does not belong to me". (Al-Bukhari and Muslim) The concept of marriage is highly emphasised in this Hadith. The Prophet sallallaahu ‘alayhi wasallam removes the false notion that marriage, having children, eating, sleeping, etc. are contrary to Taqwa. Our Deen has made it easy for us to live as Believers 24 hours a day. A person being “not from” our Prophet sallallaahu ‘alayhi wasallam is a very serious matter. It is tantamount to Kufr. Not marrying without a valid reason is going against the Sunnah and detrimental to one’s Imaan. Even worse is to reject the notion of marriage i.e. saying celibacy is better than marriage. Other religions regard celibacy as the highest stage of relationship with Allah ta’ala (priesthood, nuns, monks). It is Allah ta’ala Who has put feelings of desire in humans and He gives a solution for it through marriage. Choosing this option will aid in piety and devotion to Allah ta’ala.