ummtaalib

Answered by Sidi Faraz A. Khan Question: I know it is haram to say kufr things with your mouth, but what if you only say it in your heart/mind? Is this haram? I am not talking about waswas but i mean if someone intentionally makes a kufr/shirk statement in their mind only (for example if they swear at Allah) but they do not verbalize it. What is the ruling for this? Answer: Assalamu alaikum wa rahmatullah, I pray this finds you in the best of health and faith. Bad Thoughts versus Kufr Bad thoughts alone do not render a person outside of Islam. Many times people get bad thoughts of kufr/shirk, which is not sinful and by no means entails disbelief, as the person doesn’t actually hold those thoughts to be true. However, the devil will play tricks on the person and make him think that perhaps he willingly and intentionally held those thoughts, which he did not. Imam Tahawi states in his primer of creed, “A servant is not considered to have left his faith except by denying that which originally caused him to enter it.” i.e., his very belief in Allah’s oneness, or the resulting faith in all that is necessarily known of the religion. [Maydani, Sharh al-Tahawiyya] And again, thoughts of such denial do not entail kufr; rather, kufr results only when the thoughts are accepted in the heart as true and transformed willingly into concrete beliefs. To do so—Allah forbid—is not only haram, but also renders one outside of Islam. This holds whether one holds the belief only in one’s mind/heart, or actually expresses it verbally. The only difference between the two is that when done verbally, the Islamic court classically would convict one of apostasy, as opposed to if one kept it internal. In such a case, one would need to make tawba and renew one’s shahada, and seek the means to increase one’s iman. Having said that, it is highly unlikely that a Muslim, especially if concerned about his/her religion, would leave Islam. Even Muslims who openly sin and trangress hold dearly to iman in their hearts, let alone those who practice. The real problem, then, is usually baseless misgivings. Dealing with the Devil and His Whisperings One must be vigilant and not give in to baseless misgivings (waswasa). The devil is a trickster, and deceit is his profession. He has been in business for as long as humans have existed. He is cunning and crafty, and he works very hard to achieve his goals. He has many tactics, at the top of the list being baseless misgivings and creating doubts in our minds and hearts. He wants us to become confused, obsessed, and compulsive to the extent that it destroys us. He knows our psychological makeup very, very well. Take the means to ward off the devil, as taught by our Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him). These include the following: (a) Seek refuge in Allah Most High, by saying, A’udhu bi Llahi min ash-shaytani r-rajim [bukhari, Muslim]; and recite Ayat al-Kursi, as well as the last three surahs (Ikhlas, Falaq, Nas) [Tabarani, Mu'jam Kabir]. (b) Be consistent in remembrance of Allah (dhikr). Dhikr is a powerful fortress that blocks out the devil’s whisperings, which are in reality of no power or consequence. As Ibn Ata’illah states, “If the devil is not heedless of you, then do not you be heedless of the One in Whose Hand is your forelock.” Allah is in full control. Allah created the devil to spur us forward in our journey to Him Most High. © Find good company—people who make much remembrance of Allah, and who remind you to do the like. (d) Learn sacred knowledge under righteous scholars so you know the reality of the Sacred Law and its limits. Implement what you learn. The more sound knowledge one has of the religion, the more empowered one is to deal with baseless misgivings. (e) Seek Allah’s help in this situation. Express your need and weakness to Him, and be hopeful of His gifts. As Ibn Ata’illah says, “Nothing pleads more for you than real distress; nor is anything quicker in bringing divine gifts than lowliness and impoverishment.” (f) Turn to Allah with hope, gratitude, contentment, and love. Let Allah take care of it. Relax and give no weight whatsoever to the devil’s whisperings. The most frustrating thing for Shaytan is that we ignore his insinuations, and focus on Allah and His remembrance. Shaytan hates when we are full of hope and reliance in Allah. He hates when we are grateful and sincere. He hates when we give no weight to him, but rather turn to Allah with love. (g) Rejoice in Allah’s mercy. Our Beloved Messenger (Allah bless him and give him peace) said: “Verily the religion is ease, and no one shall make the religion hard except that it will destroy him. So be balanced, do your best, and rejoice! And seek help in the morning, the early evening, and something of the night.” [sahih Bukhari] Relax, and as our Prophet taught, rejoice. Allah is not trying to take you out of your faith. He loves that you draw closer to Him. Take the means outlined above and then, trust in Allah. And Allah alone gives success. wassalam Faraz Checked & Approved by Faraz Rabbani Source

Answered by Sidi Wasim Shiliwala Question: I read the other day on a fellow Islamic teacher’s Twitter, as a type of saying, that the way a person reacts to a test and trial from Allah determines whether or not it is a punishment or a blessing in disguise. I wonder this about my waswasa. For years I would get doubts as to whether or not I was really praying to Allah or shaytan, astaghfirullah. I think to myself, “has Allah been punishing me all these years”? Shaykh Faraz’s advice has always been that we must simple ignore the waswasa. I then start thinking did Allah want me to start taking medication for my problems instead of overcoming them on my own ( they once offered it to me during counseling)? Following your advice, I finally saw myself overcoming the waswasa only to be drawn back by my doubts again. Please advise me. Answer: As-salamu Alaikum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuh, Jazakum Allahu Khairan for this question. Satanic whispering (waswasa) is a serious subject, so I’ll deal with that first before answering your general question: Ignore Waswasa at All Costs Before discussing the concept you mentioned, I first want to reiterate Shaykh Faraz’s advice of ignoring Satanic whispers (waswasa). Regardless of one’s spiritual state, they are never helpful, and should never be indulged. In order to improve our relationship with Allah, we must sever all bad thoughts and influences, and waswasa is chief among these. Shaytan wants you to falter back into a state of worry and anxiety, because he knows that this will make your path to Allah that much more difficult. Allah warns us in the Qur’an that Shaytan is “a clear enemy” (2:168), and Shaytan has himself sworn his enmity of mankind, saying: “I will surely sit in wait for them on Your straight path / Then I will assault them from before them and behind them, from their right and left…” (7:16-17). Since he will attack us from all sides, the only way to overcome his ploy is to ignore him altogether and to focus on Allah. As Allah says, “Verily he [shaytan] has no power over those who believe and rely upon their Lord” (16:99). For guidance on how to effectively do this, please refer to the advice that Shaykh Faraz Rabbani gave you, and also read some of the answers related to waswasa here on SeekersGuidance. Dealing with Trials As for the saying you heard about one’s reaction to a trial, the main benefit from it is that it encourages patience and contentment during times of difficulty. If one is patient and steadfast through a trial, that indicates that the trial was for the purpose of removing sins; if one isn’t patient, then that indicates that the trial was a punishment. The chief element is patience, as Allah guarantees us that He is with the patient (2:153) However, that statement should not make one worry or despair about their past trials. When it comes to our individual cases, we can never be sure as to why a certain difficulty fell upon us, as only Allah knows the reality of His actions. After all, what we see as trials may not even be trials, as Allah may have given them to us in place of a worse fate. As Allah tells us in the Qur’an, “It may be that you dislike a thing and it is good for you, and that you may like a thing and it is bad for you; Allah knows but you do not know” (2:216). Because Allah the Exalted is in complete knowledge and control of all things, we cannot assume knowledge of His actions and purposes. Similarly, we also shouldn’t assume that we failed the trial, but rather we thank Allah for easing our burden, seek His forgiveness for any sins we committed, and have high hopes that we did our best and will do better next time. Never should we despair, for despair is itself sinful. Allah has both commanded and reassured us in the Qur’an: “Oh My servants who have transgressed against themselves [in sin], do not despair of the mercy of Allah! Verily, Allah forgives all sins. Indeed, He is the Oft-Forgiving, the Most-Merciful” (39:53). After trials pass, we should be relieved that they passed. Under no circumstances should we actively wish for difficulties to occur or return, nor should we do anything to facilitate their return. The Prophet (peace be upon him) once met a man who became deathly sick because he asked to be punished in this world for his sins. The Prophet (peace be upon him) strongly discouraged him from doing this, and told him that he should have asked for the best in this world, the best in the hereafter, and salvation from the hellfire. [sahih Muslim] This hadith teaches us that we should never seek punishment, but that we should always seek mercy and forgiveness. Rather than hope for trials, we should take advantage of our times of ease to increase in our praise and worship of Allah. Above all, we must keep in mind that life itself is a test from Allah, and that we must strive to be the best Muslims we can be in all situations. As the Prophet (peace be upon him) said, “How wondrous is the affair of the believer! … If something good happens to him, he gives thanks, and that is good for him; if something bad happens to him, he bears it with patience, and that is good for him.” [sahih Muslim] Rather than question the circumstances and wisdom behind your cure, remember that it came from Allah, and be thankful for it! While a believer may reflect on how they could have handled a trial better, they should always rejoice from the lifting of that trial, as it is a tremendous mercy from Allah. Medication and Relying on Allah As for whether or not you should continue taking medication, that is a decision that is best left between you and your doctor. Just as we go to religious scholars for advice on our religion, we go to doctors for advice on our physical and mental health. In all cases, we follow the advice of the experts. Consultation in serious matters is an emphasized sunnah of the Prophet (peace be upon him); A’isha (may Allah be pleased with her) said that she “never saw anyone consult his companions more than the Prophet (peace be upon him).” [Musnad Ahmad] If your doctor insists that you take a particular medication, then there is absolutely no problem in taking it. Rather than being punished for anything, you will be rewarded for taking the means to better health. Remember that taking the means is an essential part of this religion, and is a confirmed sunnah of all the Prophets. Someone once asked the Prophet (peace be upon him) about whether relying on Allah means that he should or shouldn’t tie his camel down (so it won’t wander off), and the Prophet (peace be upon him) responded: “Tie it and rely upon Allah.” [sunan al-Tirmidhi] The same applies to medicine: if you are sick, you ask for Allah’s help and seek a doctor’s advice; after all, if you get better after taking medicine, then that medicine is merely the means by which Allah cured you. By following the advice of those experts around you, you managed to overcome waswasa – this result is from Allah, so accept this gift from Him and thank Him for easing your difficulty. Stop Dwelling and Continue Your Spiritual Journey Above all, remember that what’s in the past is in the past, and that our duty as Muslims is to repent for any past mistakes and then work towards improving ourselves. Rather than stress over waswasa or past anxieties, I would advise you to continue working on increasing your acts of worship, religious knowledge, and dhikr of Allah. Don’t focus on your actions, but focus on Allah the Exalted, and how much he has given to you. Be happy and thankful, and invest your time in praising Allah for his favors upon you and sending salawat on the Prophet (peace be upon him). And when difficulties come – and as long as we are living in this world, we will find difficulties – realize that they are from Allah, and don’t dwell upon why they’re there, but on how you can get past them with excellence. Be ever grateful, because passing such trials with patience and thankfulness will increase your rank with Allah. And regardless of what happens in your life, be ever mindful that, as Allah tells us, “Verily we belong to Allah, and verily to Him we are returning” (2:156). May Allah continue to aid you and put ease in your life, and increase us all in faith and good works. Baarak Allahu Fikum, -Wasim Checked & Approved by Faraz Rabbani seekersguidance

Question No matter how much i read on this issue and no matter how many questions and answers i read related to ghusl and baseless misgivings i still cant have a ghusl within 5 minutes, it actually takes me 45 minutes for a ghusl and my quickest is 30 minutes. What I need is a detailed explanation of what to do from the moment i step in the shower, because when i go for a ghusl i keep washing the same parts of my body several times and i take time with my limbs for example i wash each side of my arms and legs separately (3 times each), please could you explain to me exactly how ghusl should be done in detail. I have a similar problem with my wudhu but its not as bad with wudhu. I sometimes feel that if i dont do my ghusl properly then i will still be in a state of impurity and this also causes me to waste a lot of time. Answer In the Name of Allah, Most Merciful and Compassionate assalamu `alaykum wa rahmatullah wa barakatuh A detailed explanation isn't really necessary. Ghusl is simple: make an intention and then wash everything. The key point to remember is that you are not required to have certainty that you have washed everything. The fuqaha explicitly state that as long as you think that "most likely I washed everything," you have fulfilled your obligation before Allah Most High, even if, in actual fact, you missed a tiny portion of your body. The question you should be asking when making wudu and ghusl is not "am I really certain that I completely washing that part?" but "did I most likely completely wash that part?" If the answer to the latter question is "yes", then you should simply ignore your doubts and get out of the shower. And Allah Most High knows best. Hamza. Source

Question dear scholar salam walakam wr wb , i hope you are well at the darul ifta. my problem is that in my prayers i see visions of people in my salah ( thier faces) this affects my heart as I have this heavy feeling where my heart is and i cant feel allah in my heart when praying rather it makes me think that im worshipping this vision rather than concentrating on worshipping allah , hence my prayer is very disturbed. this problem intensifies during rhamadhan and this is also accompanied with a tightnes around my head and i cant think of anything else except concentrate on this vision and fighting saying i believe in allah and dismissing it. now from time to time i feel this tighntess lift from me and then i feel fine and i can feel khushoo in my salah and iman but sumtimes its so bad that i have to stop the prayer and start again and im worrired about comitting shirk . when i was younger in my 15 or i once or twice unrinated in bath could this have any bearing on it . could you please advise me as to how to proceed in this problem and if you know anyone by the grace of allah who is experinced in dealing with this problem jazakallah khair Answer The problem you are facing in your prayer is a classic example of waswasa. (Satanatic insinuation) The best way to address this problem, in the short term is not to think about it at all, the more you think about it the more it will escalate. In the long term, you could try the following method to help you concentrate on your salah. My noble teachers taught me this method. You should sit for about 10 minutes everyday, close your eyes and think that Allah (SWA) is watching you and his blessings and rahmat is descending to your heart. Inshallah, by the will of Allah (SWA), this vision that you are seeing will go away. This problem could have arisen from you urinating in the bath, as it is mentioned in a hadith that the Holy Prophet Sallallahu Alaihi Wasalam has prohibited us to urinate in the bath as the illness of wasasa arises from this. (Tirmizi p.12 v.1) However you should try and forget about what happened in the past and act upon the solutions which I have mentioned above. Mohammed Tosir Miah Darul Ifta Birmingham.

Question I am a Muslim male aged 25 years. My problem is that while performing my wudu (ablution), I sometimes wash my face more than 3 times (4 to 5 times). I do the same thing when i wash my hands and feet, rinse my mouth and clean my nose. The reason I do this is that I feel all the abovementioned parts in my wudu are not properly wet and cleaned if I clean them 3 times and therefore clean them more than 3 times. Please tell me whether such a wudu would be proper and whether the salat (namaz) performed after doing such a wudu would be properly performed? Please answer this question in your earliest convenience. Answer In the name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful Abu Abdullah said: The Prophet sallallahu alayhi wasallam had made clear that it is obligatory (while performing) ablution to was the body-parts once. And the Prophet sallallahu alayhi wasallam also did perform the ablution by washing (these) parts twice and thrice, but he never washed them more than three times. (Bukhari, vol.1, pg. 135) The learned scholars disliked exceeding the limits set by the Prophet sallallahu alayhi wasallam while performing ablution. As for the doubts that cross your mind regarding Wudhu, Nabi (Sallallaahu Alayhi Wasallam) has taught us a Du'aa that we should constantly make, 'O Allah! I seek protection from Walahaan.' (Mishkaat pg.47; Qadeemi). Walahaan is the name of the devil that causes these doubts to cross our minds during wudu. And Allah knows best Wassalam A Female Iftaa Student Checked and Approved by: Mufti Ebrahim Desai Darul Iftaa, Madrassah In'aamiyyah Source Reference: (Radd-ul-Mukhtaar, vol.1, pg. 239 ; Bukhari, vol.1, pg. 135 ; Badai-us-Sanaai, vo.1. pg.113)

QUESTION I have an extreme condition of obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD). I had an argument with my wife, and the next day while I was taking a bath, the previous day’s argument scene came into my mind. I started imagining the scene (like a flash back), and whilst imagining, I uttered the words ‘Talaq’ 3 times. When I say uttered, I mean my lips moved but I did not hear myself clearly. It was more like murmuring, and the voice was so low that I could not hear myself and neither anyone next to me would be able to hear what I was saying. However, I was in the bath with the water tap running. Please could you let me know if this has any implications on my marriage? Also, please advice what I can do to treat this condition, as I get a lot of waswasa (misgivings)? ANSWER In the name of Allah, Most Compassionate, Most Merciful, To begin with, it should always be remembered that merely thinking about divorce or having baseless misgivings (waswasa) about it does not Islamically constitute a divorce, as long as one does not actually issue a divorce verbally or in writing. Sayyiduna Abu Hurayra (Allah be pleased with him) narrates that the Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him & give him peace) said, ‘Indeed, Allah has overlooked for my Umma the misgivings/thoughts that occur in their hearts, as long as they do not act upon it, or speak about it.’ (Sahih al-Bukhari & Sahih Muslim) If during such thoughts, even if one was to utter or murmur words of divorce in such a soft, low, or indistinct way that, under normal circumstances [i.e. when there is no external cause for not being able to hear], it is not possible for the speaker to hear himself, then that too does not constitute divorce. It is stated in Maraqi al-Falah: If one thinks about divorce in the heart, and the tongue [also] moves, [but] without making an utterance that can be heard, then divorce does not occur, even if letters were correctly formed.’ (Maraqi al-Falah with Hashiya al-Tahtawi, P: 219) Imam al-Haskafi (Allah have mercy on him) states in his renowned Al-Durr al-Mukhtar: ‘The main integral (rukn) of divorce is the specific statement (lafdh makhsus).’ (See: Radd al-Muhtar ala ‘l-Durr 3/230) He also states: ‘The minimal of ‘loud/audible (jahr)’ utterance is that others are able to hear the speaker, and the minimal of ‘soft/inaudible (makhafat)’ utterance is that the speaker is able to hear himself… As such, if one utters divorce… but is unable to hear himself, the divorce does not count, according to the sounder opinion.’ (See: Radd al-Muhtar ala ‘l-Durr 1/534-535) Hence, in order for a divorce to be considered effective, it needs to be uttered or pronounced in such a manner that, in normal circumstances, one would be able to hear himself. Simply forming the letters with lip and tongue movement, without producing any actual sound, is of no consequence. (See: Fatawa Mahmudiyya 12/249) Indeed, if one is absolutely certain (yaqin) of hearing himself, or if there was some external cause that prevented hearing, one is sure that without such cause, one would have heard one’s self, then it will constitute divorce. The basic principle (qa’ida fiqhiyya), that all people prone to misgivings should keep in mind, states: ‘Certainty is not lifted by a doubt.’ (Ibn Nujaym, Al-Ashbah wa ‘l Nadhair) As such, the certainty of marriage (nikah) is not lifted by mere doubts or misgivings. It is only lifted by certainty of divorce. I pray Allah Most High cures you from your condition and reward you for the difficulties you are facing, Ameen. It would be worthwhile visiting a qualified psychiatric and getting some professional medical help, Insha Allah. And Allah knows best [Mufti] Muhammad ibn Adam Darul Iftaa Leicester , UK

Question my husband keeps getting waswas about divorce all time when hes eating,drinking or when doing something else.he gets alot of waswas about different things he once got wrong waswas about his mom when he was sitting by her but he refused to listen to the waswas and ignored thm.is this a sin?hes on tablets now for these waswas.can you give me some advice to give him? i also get alot of waswas about islam and my lord allah.im ill because i keep talking to myself and i keep repeating words over and over again all day long.im tired of this illness.i cant cope with the illness nomore. i keep saying wrong things about islam and i dont want 2 say wrong things ever in my life but im ill.my life is hell cuz of this illness.i dont know what to do.when i say somthing wrong then i ask allah to forgive me and i say taubah.sometimes when i explain myself about my illness to myself i sometime say something i was never like this before.sometime when im talking to myself shaitans puts waswas strongly 2 me that it nearly comes out my mouth but i stop it.i worried now about last nite because i keep thinking that i said thats its funny but i dont know if i said that.what shal i do. please write bak Answer Assalāmu `alaikum Warahmatullāhi Wabrakatuh, Waswasa could either be genuine whispers of the Shaitaan or due to some sickness. If it is due to a sickness which is generally diagnosed by a phsychiatrist or clinical phycologist, then such waswasa or thoughts are treatable. Your husband is now on tablets. We hope and make dua Allah grant him shifaa. Aameen. You state you also get waswasa about Allah and Islam. You also indicate that you get these waswasa frequently when you get ill. It is important to diagnose whether your waswasa is similar to your husband’s waswasa and you require medical assistance like him. You may consider exploring that avenue. If your waswasa are whispers of Shaitaan, then if they are involuntary and just come in the mind of their own, you should not worry. Simply ignore such thoughts. Do not pay attention whatsoever to such thoughts. Shaitaan puts these thoughts to divert your attention from useful thoughts to useless and insignificant thoughts. You will find yourself consumed in something useless and tangled thereby frustrating yourself. That is the root to many evils, anger, frustration, tiredness, despair, suicidal thoughts etc. This is what is Shaitaan’s objective. The simple remedy to such thoughts is to ignore them and don’t bother. This will be a smack on Shaitaan’s face. Shaitaan will feel humiliated and not attempt his evil plot on you again. Simply read “لَا حَوْلَ وَلَا قُوَّةَ إِلَّا بِاللَّهِ الْعَلِيِّ الْعَظِيمِ” and “أَعُوذُ بِاللَّهِ مِنَ الشَّيْطَانِ الرَّجِيمِ”. Also, remember having such thoughts are a clear sign of Ieman. If you did not have Ieman in you, Shaitaan would not bother. Once sahabi complained to Rasulullah Salla Allahu Alayhi wa Sallam about such thoughts. Rasulullah Salla Allahu Alayhi wa Sallam advised him “That is clear sign of Ieman”. Such thoughts are like the different scenes on a journey. One does not stop to watch every scene on the journey, he glances at it and continues. Similarly, continue with your normal life and don’t let these thoughts stop you in any way. If you do so, you are inviting trouble to yourself. Such thoughts are similar to a live wire. You stay away, you are safe; you touch it you shock yourself. And Allah Ta'āla Knows Best, Muftī Ebrahim Desai Daruliftaa 35 Candella Rd, Durban, South Africa www.daruliftaa.net

Question. I desperately need help. I am based in the UK. I have OCD. This manifests itself in 3 ways. First, I take long in the toilet, making ghusl and wudhu, i.e. washing my hands incessantly. Second, every verbal utterance by me or my wife is dissected and analysed for kufr. I ask approximately 10 muftis for a fatwa because I want to be 100% sure. Inevitably, asking so many muftis results in 1 out of 10 concluding kufr. My negative mindset precludes me from focusing on the 9 in favour. This has happened on 3 occasions. For example just yesterday my wife was reading a message on facebook part of which said: “thank you Allah for making my samosas turn out the right shape.” When she finished reading the message she said: “trust her to come out with crap.” 4 muftis said no kufr but the one inconclusive fatwa is what my mind is entrenched with. Another example is of a conversation I had with my father wherein I stated: “I told Sajid that I am willing to help the Masjid out in confidence provided my employer doesn’t come to know. If, however, you mention my name to them I will screw you over and I don’t give a damn then that the masjid is involved.” The intention here was not to disrespect the masjid but to threaten the brother. Mufti Siraj Desai (South Africa) and Mufti of (Zimbabwe) and Mufti of (Darul Ifta Birmingham UK) concluded that this did not constitute kufr but my anxiety levels are such that I cannot rest until the remaining muftis all come back and conclude the same. Third whenever I am given naseehat by my wife in particular such anger and anti Islamic sentiments grip my heart that it feels like I have left the fold of Islam. Muftis have suggested seeing a psychiatrist. I am reluctant to see a non-muslim psychiatrist yet I cannot find a reliable Muslim psychiatrist in the UK. I am gradually falling in to a state of depression bordering on the suicidal. My marriage is up and down and I am completely lost. I am irregular with Salah and my akhlaaq rapidly oscillates from the sublime to the disgraceful. I have been sitting in bed all day doing absolutely nothing. The month of Ramadhan is passing by and I an pre-occupied with obtaining fatwas regarding whether such and such statement constitutes kufr. Please provide a solution. Even whilst writing this, I initially wrote please help me as opposed to please provide a solution. Now I am wondering whether asking help from another besides Allah constitutes disbelief. Please suggest a cure and confirm that there is no need to renew Iman and re-perform nikah. Answer. There is no doubt that you are suffering from a dangerous type of waswasa which probably may actually lead to the destruction of your Iman. Shaitaan is playing with your mind, and you are giving him the chance to do so. Your first problem is that you are bringing many unnecessary questions in your mind, and the other problem is that when you receive answers for your questions (from authoritative scholars), you begin to have doubts in their answers. If you continue in this manner, you will ruin yourself. You need to take control of your self, do whatever you are commanded to do as a Muslim, and refrain from prying into every small and insignificant matter that comes to your mind. If you cannot control them, then recite a lot of Ta’awuz (that is, say A’uzu billahi Minash Shaitanir Rajeem) frequently, until these thoughts go away. Secondly, ignore whatever comes to your mind (from among these evil whispers). Pay no heed to it, and give it no importance. Thirdly, if you think that some of these thoughts are such that you need to seek a fatawa, then communicate with such a Mufti (Islamic scholar) upon whom you have reliance and confidence, and accept what he says. Do not go about ‘scouting’ for opinions, for this will only put you in a state of confusion. With respect to asking questions while seeking help, this is something which Allah Has (himself) asked us to do when he said, ‘And ask those who know if you do not know’. Allah Has also ordered us by saying ‘And help each other in goodness and in piety’. In order to cure the problem of waswasa, you should also frequently recite the dua which Allah has given in the Holy Quran when one is touched and affected by Shaitan. This Dua is :- ‘Rabbi A’uzu bika min Hamazaatish Shayateen wa A’uzu bika Rabbi An Yahdhuroon’. ‘O my lord I seek refuge in you from the whispers of the devils. And I seek refuge in you, O my lord, from their presence. Strictly adhere to the performance of your Salaah, stay away from all the haram, and supplicate to Allah and follow the guidelines that I have given. Insha Allah, Allah will remove your problem. And Allah knows best. Mufti Waseem Khan Source

Answered by Sidi Wasim Shiliwala Question: I am suffering from extreme waswasa. Sometimes I bathe five times a day and I find concentrating in salah difficult. I have read everything about waswasa and I try to ignore it, but I can’t. Also, after istinja, I am always doubtful about my hands. I try to open my fingers during washing but sometimes I forget whether I opened my fingers or not and I worry about whether I washed the spaces between them. Please advise me. Answer: Walaikum As-salaam wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuhu, May Allah ease your burden upon you. Wasawis are a difficult issue to deal with, but alhamdulillah you have already begun dealing with the issue in two important ways: 1) by recognizing that there is a problem and 2) by seeking help and guidance. Seek Professional Help From what you have described, it appears to me that your condition might move beyond waswasa and into the realm of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, which is in reality a serious disorder that requires professional attention. Therefore, I highly encourage that you seek counseling from a qualified mental health professional who can help you understand and deal with this condition. Have no doubt that seeking medical help is part of our religion. Consulting others in serious matters is an emphasized sunnah of the Prophet (peace be upon him), and seeking necessary medical help is required upon those who are able to seek it. When we are in doubt about something, Allah commands us to ask those who know [16:43]. Remember that when the Prophet (peace be upon him) learned that two Muslims had given an injured man ill-informed advice that resulted in his death, he (peace be upon him) blamed them for the man’s death and asked why they did not simply seek a more knowledgeable source for guidance. [sunan Abu Dawud] By not taking the time to seek proper advice from a knowledgeable source, the two men carelessly and needlessly caused their companion’s death. I mention all of the above merely to emphasize the point that you should seek professional advice to help you deal with these problems. It may very well be that there are underlying issues that need to be treated before you can address the wasawis. Seek Allah’s Help Through Dua and Prayer In addition to seeking help, make sure you consistently ask Allah’s aid during these trials. Make much dua (supplication), and also establish and increase your prayers – pray the five daily prayers on time, establish the sunnah prayers, read the Qur’an daily, send salawat on the Prophet (peace be upon him), and make sure you increase in your remembrance (dhikr) of Allah as well. Limit Your Indulgence, Say the Ta`awwudh, and Move On In addition to implementing the professional advice and guidance of a counselor, you can also try to reduce the wasawis in the following manners: 1. Establish clear limits and stick to them: 1 shower a day for 5 minutes max, 1 wudhu per prayer for 1 minute max (5 seconds on each limb), 10 seconds for washing your hands max, and so on and so forth. Once the timer is up, you stop the action, assume cleanliness, and move on. 2. Say the ta`awwudh (a`udhu billahi min ash-shaytan ir-rajim) when you hear the whispers calling you to redo an action. You can also recite surat al-Nas, which is also a dua for protection against wasawis. 3. Leave the washing area immediately and do NOT look back. Go straight into your prayer (after wudhu) or continue with your day. In other words, busy yourself and your mind before Shaytan tries to take over. 4. Trust in Allah that your prayer and purity are accepted. Remember that the sahaba and the Prophet (peace be upon him) all had less water than we do now, and without a doubt their prayers were accepted. So there is no doubt that we, who use (and waste) so much more water than they ever did, are performing our wudhu in a matter acceptable to Allah. The Blessing of Good Company Above all, do not try to handle these problems alone. Seek the help not only of a counselor, but also of those close to you as well. Your family and friends can uplift your spirits and shift your attention away from the wasawis to other good things: remembrance of Allah, enjoyment of beneficial company, and the general goodwill and love that exists among all of us. Spend your free time in gatherings of dhikr, sacred knowledge, and other lectures at your local masjid, Islamic center, or Muslim neighbor’s house. Shaytan is strongest when we are alone, and weakest when we are in good company (suhba), so make it a habit of immersing yourself in blessed gatherings. With Allah’s help, you will see that Shaytan’s influence will slowly but steadily dissipate as you fill your head with remembrance of the All-Merciful, and how majestic and glorious and exalted He is! Other Readings on Waswasa As you tread this path to well-being, it might be of benefit to read and re-read the various points of advice found in the following answers for guidance and inspiration: Does the Qur’an Mention OCD or Waswasa Being Caused by Jinn? A Reader on Waswasa Waswasa as a Trial from Allah: Punishment or Blessing? Medical Conditions and Waswasa Satanic Whisperings are Making Me Withdraw from Muslims Final Word Again, I must reiterate that it sounds like you have a serious condition, in which case you must seek counseling and treatment. This is of the highest priority, as sound health – mentally, physically, and emotionally – is an essential part of our religion. Without it, we cannot excel in our path to Allah – rather, establishing it is, in many ways, how we achieve closeness to our Lord. May Allah aid you in your time of difficulty, cure you of your afflictions, and give you – and all of us – good health. And only with Allah comes success. Jazakum Allahu Khairan, Wasim Checked & Approved by Faraz Rabbani Source

Question I have been suffering from Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) for nearly 11 years. My symptoms are characterised by incessant, obtrusive, obscenely blasphemous thoughts, which I have no control over, and cannot seem to purge from my mind. Moreover, I suffer from another manifestation of OCD, vis, excessive hand washing and avoidance behaviour. This condition is having a debilitating impact upon my life. I would like to know the Islamic take on my situation, and does it lay the blame for my affliction firmly on my doorstep. Answer OCD (Obsessive Compulsive Disorder) may be viewed as a sickness like any other sickness. As Muslims, it is out belief that sickness is from Allah Ta’ala and it is compulsory upon us to be happy with the order of Allah Ta’ala. When one is ill, he will consult an appropriate physician with the hope of getting treatment to cure or control the sickness. You should view your condition in the light of the above and consult with a psychologist for treatment. And Allah Ta’ala Knows Best Mufti Ebrahim Desai askimam

Question: Until a few days ago I was performing my istinja in the shower after having briefly wiped myself with a tissue. Today, I fell in the same trap, as at the last minute I needed to go the toilet(to pass stool and urine) and I was getting late for jumu’ah. First I wiped with a tissue, when I was washing myself in the shower, I saw the colour of the water change to brown from the remaining faeces) as I washed my private parts. Similarly, the odd urine drops were still coming out. Directly under the shower head is a plastic shampoo bottle. Whilst washing my private parts water inevitably went on to the bottle. I say inevitable because I do not go around monitoring these issues. It is also likely that during the rest of the Ghusl process water lands on the bottle again. Again I can’t be sure. Furthermore, when I turn the shower off, the head is positioned such that some of the remaining water in the head must drip onto the bottle. My wife usually uses the shower after me and handles the bottle in order to use the shampoo, as she did today. She must obviously wash the shampoo off. How effectively or to what extent she does that I don’t know. Answer: As you have yourself acknowledged that this is a trap from shaytaan, and you are suffering from Waswasah (neurosis) If someone carries on this path of thinking then his neurosis will take over and shaytaan will use this to stop him from praying his namaz. Until you can see impurity on your body then assure that you are paak. With regards to these Masa’il Galabah Zan is enough. There is a maxim in jurisprudence اليقين لا يزول بالشك Certainty is not dispelled by doubt So as it is certain for your body to be paak then just by mere doubts you will not become impure. Similarly this will be the ruling for those items in and around the bathtub, that until any najaasat (impurity) is visible then the item will be pure. May Allah swt cure from this beemari of waswasa, and give you relief. Ameen Source

Question: I have a question regarding camel hump hijab… I have read this hadith quite a few times that Mohammad (s.a.w) have said that paradise is forbidden for those women who wear their hair like camel humps… Now, i never wear hijab like camel humps,, but recently me and my friend were discussing this and she told me it’s better to make pleats of hair than making a bun and then she quoted this hadith.. I was confused so I told her that our hair should not give camel hump looks on the top of our head, but making a bun slightly above the neck area (where our hair ends) is not wrong. This conversation has made me think whether we can make buns too or not? I mean they are not high on head like girls usually wear these days. I only make bun because my hair is long and if i make pleats or any other hairstyle they would come out of hijab. So please clarify whether we can make hair bun under hijab or normally too(when we are at home, without hijab). And if we are not allowed to do it then is it even not allowed to wear these kind of hairstyles in front of one’s husband? Please also mention all those hairstyles which are not permissible under hijab as well as without hijab. Answer: In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. As-salamu ‘alaykum wa rahmatullahi wa-barakatuh. Hereunder is the Hadeeth in reference: حَدَّثَنِي زُهَيْرُ بْنُ حَرْبٍ، حَدَّثَنَا جَرِيرٌ، عَنْ سُهَيْلٍ، عَنْ أَبِيهِ، عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ، قَالَ: قَالَ رَسُولُ اللهِ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ: «صِنْفَانِ مِنْ أَهْلِ النَّارِ لَمْ أَرَهُمَا، قَوْمٌ مَعَهُمْ سِيَاطٌ كَأَذْنَابِ الْبَقَرِ يَضْرِبُونَ بِهَا النَّاسَ، وَنِسَاءٌ كَاسِيَاتٌ عَارِيَاتٌ مُمِيلَاتٌ مَائِلَاتٌ، رُءُوسُهُنَّ كَأَسْنِمَةِ الْبُخْتِ الْمَائِلَةِ، لَا يَدْخُلْنَ الْجَنَّةَ، وَلَا يَجِدْنَ رِيحَهَا، وَإِنَّ رِيحَهَا لَيُوجَدُ مِنْ مَسِيرَةِ كَذَا وَكَذَا» Abu Hurairah Radiallahu Anhu reports that Nabi Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam has said: “There are two categories of people of the fire (jahannam) which I haven’t seen (non-existent at that time). Amongst them is a group who has whips like the tails of cattle with which they torture people and women who are clothed yet they are naked, attracting (to males) and are attracted to (by males). Their heads are like that of a camel’s hump which are tilted. Such women will not enter Jannah nor will they smell its fragrance although its fragrance can be smelt from a long distance.”(Sahih Muslim, Book on clothing and beautifying one’s self, Chapter on Women being clothed yet are naked. Vol 2, Pg. 205, Qadeeme Khutub Khana) The underlined and bold parts of the translation of the above mentioned Hadeeth refers to your query. Imaam Nawawi explains that camel’s hump which are tilted refers to women hairstyling their heads by tying head cloths or scarfs on them which look like the tilted hump of a camel. [1] In different parts of the world this type of hairstyle is called “camel hump hijab”, “beehive hijab”, “volumanised hijab” or “khaleeji hijab” which are used with “Flower clips and flower shaped pom poms. There are two reasons for the prohibition of creating such a hairstyle; مميلات- Attraction. مائلات - Displaying of pride.[2] Irrespective of whether the hair is tied like a ‘bun’ or not, it should not follow the description of the tilted hump of a camel. This prohibition is general and will apply when a woman is in the presence and absence of her husband. However, if a woman naturally makes a bun on her neck or above her head due to need and does not follow the camel humps hijab, it would be permissible.[3] Also, placing the hair on the neck is better than placing it on the head due to مشابهت (close similarity to a camel humps hijab). And Allah Ta’ala Knows Best Checked and Approved by, Mufti Ebrahim Desai. www.idealwoman.org [1]1}[شرح محمد فؤاد عبد الباقي] ومعنى رؤسهن كأسنمة البخت أي يكبرنها ويعظمنها بلف عمامة أو عصابة أو نحوها 2} (البخت) قال في اللسان البخت والبخيتة دخيل في العربية أعجمي معرب وهي الإبل الخراسانية تنتج من بين عربية وفالج (والفالج البعير ذو السنامين وهو الذي بين البختي والعربي سمي بذلك لأن سنامه نصفان) الواحد بختي جمل بختي وناقة بختية ومعنى رؤسهن كأسنمة البخت أي يكبرنها ويعظمنها بلف عمامة أو عصابة أو نحوها] { اللإيمان بالجن بين الحقيقة والتهويل ، ج 1 ، ص236 } 3}(رؤسهن كأسنمة البخت) يعنى يعظمن رؤسهن بالخمر والقلنسوة حتى تشبه اسمة البخت (المائلة) من الميل لان أعلى السنام يميل لكثرة شحمه (لا يدخلن الجنة ولا يجدن ريحها وان ريحها ليوجد من مسيرة كذا وكذا) اى يوجد من مسيرة أربعين عاما { روح البيان ، ج 2 ، ص 34 } @4} رؤوسهن بالخمر والعمائم حتى تشبه أسنمة البخت- وهي الإبل الخراسانية, وقيل: يطمحن إلى الرجال, لا يغضضن من أبصارهن, { صحيح ابن حبان، ج16، ص 502 } 5}وَقَوْلُهُ: «رُءُوسُهُنَّ كَأَسْنِمَةِ الْبُخْتِ» قِيلَ: مَعْنَاهُ: أَنَّهُنَّ يُعَظِّمْنَ رُءُوسَهُنَّ بِالْخُمُرِ وَالْعَمَائِمِ حَتَّى تُشْبِهَ أَسْنِمَةَ الْبُخْتِ، وَقِيلَ: يَطْمَحْنَ إِلَى الرِّجَالِ، لَا يَغْضُضْنَ مِنْ أَبْصَارِهِنَّ، وَلا يُنَكِّسْنَ رُءُوسَهُنَّ { شرح السنة، ج 10 ، ص 272 }. 6}(رؤوسهن كأسنمة البخت) معناه يعظمن رأسهن بالخمر والعمائم وغيرها مما يلف على الرؤوس حتى تشبه أسنمة الإبل والمراد بالتشبيه بأسنمة البخت إنما هو لارتفاع الغدائر فوق رؤوسهن وجمع عقائصها هناك وتكثرها بما يضفرنه حتى تميل إلى ناحية من جوانب الرأس كما يميل السنام[شرح محمد فؤاد عبد الباقي 7}وقوله: "رؤوسهن كأسنمة البخت" قيل: معناه: أنهن يٌعظمن { صحيح إبن حبان } 8}قلت : وقد ظهرت في عصرنا نساء يعقدن شعورهن المسترسلة علي أقفيتهن أو في أوساط رؤوسهن بما يشابه سنام البعير سواء بسواء, كان النبي صلي الله عليه وسلم شبه رؤوسهن بأسنمة البخت. وهذا من معجزات النبي صلي الله عليه وسلم إذ وقع من النساء ما أخبر به قبل أربعة قرنا { تكملة فتح الملهم , ج 5 , ص 118/119 } [2] 9}(مميلات) قيل يعلمن غيرهن الميل وقيل مميلات لأكتافهن (مائلات) أي يمشين متبخترات وقيل مائلات يمشين المشية المائلة وهي مشية البغايا ومميلات يمشين غيرهن تلك المشية (البخت) قال في اللسان البخت والبخيتة دخيل في العربية أعجمي معرب وهي الإبل الخراسانية تنتج من بين عربية وفالج (والفالج البعير ذو السنامين وهو الذي بين البختي والعربي سمي بذلك لأن سنامه نصفان) الواحد بختي جمل بختي وناقة بختية ومعنى رؤسهن كأسنمة البخت أي يكبرنها ويعظمنها بلف عمامة أو عصابة أو نحوها] { الإيمان بالجن بين الحقيقة والتهويل، ج 1، ص 236} [3] Imdaadul Ahkaam,Book on clothing and beautifying one’s self, Vol 4, Pg. 337. idealwoman.org

Question: I lived on my own for 2 years and now live with my mum in law as my dad in law passed away. She is very very controlling and believes that all decisions must be made by her regarding me. Where we going, She has to give go ahead if I can go home. If I can start a new job etc. I feel so trapped and my husband tells me he can’t not listen to his mother. When at times we make a decision about our lives she screams at him and says he doesn’t take her advice and he gets very sad! I know we can’t talk about what children do for parents and never compare but my husband has sacrifice a lot, including a job and a home to stay with her. How do we get her to understanding that we a married couple and need our life and is it right that my husband has to listen to all decisions regarding me from his mother? Do we have to discuss everything with her, from financial to spending every weekend together to asking permission if I can go see my own parents? I’m very confused! Lease share some light in this matter I have a very good husband and he is also stuck in the middle of who to please! Do I just have to sacrifice all the time? Answer: In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. As-salāmu ‘alaykum wa-rahmatullāhi wa-barakātuh. Sister in Islam, Alhamdulillah you are aware of the rights of parents. It is also pleasing to note that you respect your husband for the effort he puts in trying to be a good son. In principle, it is not necessary for the son to obey everything his mother has to say about his wife. It is also not necessary to discuss all issues with her. However, it is imperative to keep in mind that as a mother she has many expectations from her son. Moreover, she is a widow because of which she feels the need for more attention. Insha Allah, one day you will also be a mother and would have high expectations from your children. Keeping this in mind, perhaps you can understand where she is coming from. We understand the difficulty you are facing in having to sacrifice for her in many aspects of life. Therefore, we advise that you and your husband present the case to her in the most humble manner and explain to her the difficulty you are facing. Alternatively, you can identify a relative or close friend in whom you can confide. That person could discuss your feelings with your mother in law, also note her response, and advise both accordingly. And Allah Ta’āla Knows Best Checked and Approved by, Mufti Ebrahim Desai. idealwoman.org

The following has been taken from the main topic of OCD & Wasaawis for easy access to vital information on combatting the Wasaawis Combatting Wasaawis & Preventative Measures Islam is a complete way of life with solutions for every problem. The following advices have been compiled from various authentic sources where scholars have advised sufferers of wasaawis, be they in regard to purity, prayers, or blasphemy. 1. Identify wasaawis as being from Shaytaan & seek refuge with Allah Almighty “And if an evil whisper comes to you from Shaytaan (Satan), then seek refuge with Allaah. Verily, He is All-Hearer, All-Knower" [al-A’raaf 7:200] We seek refuge with Allah Ta'aala by saying: a`oodhu billaahi mina ash-shaytaani ar-rajeem (I seek refuge and protection in Allah from Satan, the accursed). In Surah An-Naas, Allah Ta'aala says:1. Say: "I seek refuge with (Allah) the Lord of mankind,2. "The King of mankind,3. "The Ilah (God) of mankind,4. "From the evil of the whisperer (devil who whispers evil in the hearts of men) who withdraws (from his whispering in one's heart after one remembers Allah) ,5. "Who whispers in the breats of mankind,6. "Of jinns and men." One of the other ways to seek refuge from Satan is to recite the last two chapters of the Holy Quran, namely Surat Al-Falaq (The Daybreak) and Surat An-Naas (Mankind) Doubts during Prayers: One of the Sahaabah complained to the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) about waswaas during prayer, and he said: “The Shaytaan comes between me and my prayers and my recitation, confusing me therein.” The Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “That is a devil called Khanzab. If he affects you seek refuge in Allah from him and spit drily to your left three times.” He [the Sahaabi] said, I did that and Allaah took him away from me. (Narrated by Muslim, 2203) Imām An-Nawawī states in his explanation, “And this hadīth proves that it is recommended to seek refuge from Shaytān then to dryly spit to the left when one is inner whisperings.” (Although in a talk by Shaykh Riyadhul Haq, it is mentioned that the spitting should be done before and after the Salah in the Hanafi fiqh) Wudhu: As for the doubts that cross your mind regarding Wudhu, Nabi (Sallallaahu Alayhi Wasallam) has taught us a Du'aa that we should constantly make, 'O Allah! I seek protection from Walahaan.' (Mishkaat pg.47; Qadeemi). Walahaan is the name of the devil that causes these doubts to cross our minds during wudu. The Shaytaan who whispers in Wudhu is called Walahaan. He creates doubts regarding Tahaarat (Purity) and these doubts should be ignored. (From the lecture of Shaykh Riyaadhul Haqq) Short but comprehensive advice from Hazrat Maulana Abdul Hamid Is`haq Saheb (Daamat Barakaatuhum) 2. Oppose the Shaytaan Opposing the Shaytaan for he may come in the form of someone offering sincere advice, so we must go against him. For if he were really good he would be good to himself first, but he has caused himself to be doomed to Hell. So if he comes to you whilst you are praying, and says, “You are showing off (so cut your prayer short),” then make your prayer lengthy. If he says, “You have broken your wudoo’,” say, “You are lying”. When you eat, be different from him and eat and drink with your right hand, and take food with your right hand. This even applies to taking a siesta, as it says in the hadeeth: “Take a siesta for the devils do not take a siesta.” Narrated by Abu Na’eem with a saheeh isnaad. Saheeh al-Jaami’, 4/147. 3. Seek Allah's Help through Du'a & Prayer 4. Ignore wasaawis Evil whispers during prayer and regarding purity come from the Shaytaan who is keen to misguide the Muslim and lead him astray. The most common advise to combat these Wasaawis is to ignore them which if implemented when they first begin to occur, can serve as a deterrent. (Source: taken from the teachings of Shaykh Muhammad Saleem Dhorat) 5. Seek advice from scholars and thereafter follow the advice Once a certain situation is clarified with a scholar, then it should be left to rest. Every time the same scenario appears, one should follow the guidance given on the previous occasion. 6. Be aware of fiqh (jurisprudence) issues related to impurity, doubts etc., so that one does not go to extremes in ignorance. Abu Abdullah said: The Prophet sallallahu alayhi wasallam had made clear that it is obligatory (while performing) ablution to was the body-parts once. And the Prophet sallallahu alayhi wasallam also did perform the ablution by washing (these) parts twice and thrice, but he never washed them more than three times. (Bukhari, vol.1, pg. 135) The learned scholars disliked exceeding the limits set by the Prophet sallallahu alayhi wasallam while performing ablution. 7. Seek medical help when necessary 8. Establish clear limits and stick to them 9. Refrain from sin Keep away from sins and wrong actions which are the means by which Iblees gains control over the sons of Adam. Allah says: “Verily, he [the Shaytaan] has no power over those who believe and put their trust only in their Lord (Allah)” [al-Nahl 16:99] 10. Recommended du'aas In the book of Ibn al-Sunni it is narrated via ‘Aa’ishah (may Allaah be pleased with her), “Whoever suffers from this waswaas, let him say ‘Aamantu Billaahi wa bi rusulihi (I believe in Allaah and in His Messengers)’, three times, and it will go away from him.” Al-Nawawi (may Allaah have mercy on him) said that one of the scholars thought it was mustahabb for the one who was affected by Waswasah with regard to his Wudhu or prayer to say Laa ilaaha ill-Allaah, for when the Shaytaan hears dhikr (remembrance of Allah) he slinks away, and Laa ilaaha ill-Allaah is the best of dhikr, and the most effective remedy for warding off Waswasah is to remember Allah a great deal. The simple remedy to such thoughts is to ignore them and don’t bother. This will be a smack on Shaitaan’s face. Shaitaan will feel humiliated and not attempt his evil plot on you again. Simply read: لاحول ولا قوة إلا بالله العلي العظيم and أعوذ بالله من الشيطان الرجيم (source: Mufti Ebrahim Desai) 11. Hope & trust in Allah Trust in Allah that your prayer and purity are accepted. Remember that the sahaba and the Prophet (peace be upon him) all had less water than we do now, and without a doubt their prayers were accepted. So there is no doubt that we, who use (and waste) so much more water than they ever did, are performing our wudhu in a matter acceptable to Allah. 12. Preventative measures Urinating in the Bath It is mentioned in a hadith that the Holy Prophet Sallallahu Alaihi Wasalam has prohibited us to urinate in the bath as the illness of waswasah arises from this. (Tirmizi p.12 v.1) Something to keep in the mind and the heart Undoubtedly, whoever thinks of the paths of the Messengers of Allah, especially our Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) will find that his path and his law is easy and clear, with no hardship in it. “… and has not laid upon you in religion any hardship” [al-Hajj 22:78] Thoughts/ Wasaawis are like Guests They are like guests. If one made a guest feel welcome, the guest is inclined to visit again and the more welcome he is made to feel the more he will be inclined to visit. However when a guest is made to feel unwelcome he may visit once or twice and then at the continuous cool reception no self respecting person will visit again. Similarly unwanted thoughts/Wasaawis will continue to come if attention is paid to them. If ignored they may persist for a while but eventually they will cease Insha Allah. (From the teachings of Shaykh Muhammad Saleem Dhorat).

after a lot of research, we have compiled as much information as we could on this serious and often debilitating condition of OCD and Wasaawis. We have tried our utmost to present facts from reliable medical sources as well as proofs and remedies from the Qur'an and Sunnah. We pray it will be a means of help and cure to sufferers everywhere inshaAllah who often feel alone, suffering in silence, unable to help themselves and not knowing who to turn to. May Allah subhaanahu wata'ala grant relief as it is He alone Who cures, Aameen. We would appreciate feedback and /or advise/information we may have overlooked. We request readers to make du'a for acceptance of this effort and it becoming a means of relief for sufferers. Jazaakumullah

See also: Christmas Lessons

Origin Of Christmas Mufti Taqi Usmani commemorating the birth of a distinguished person has never been prescribed by any religion attributing itself to divine revelation. It was originally a custom prevalent in pagan communities only. Even Christmas, the famous Christian feast commemorating the birth of Jesus Christ finds no mention in the Bible or in the early Christian writings. It was only in the 4th century after the ascension of Jesus Christ that Christmas was recognized as a regular Christian feast. To quote the Collier's Encyclopedia: "It is impossible to determine the exact date of the birth of Christ, either from the evidence of the gospels, or from any sound tradition. During the first three centuries of the Christian era there was considerable opposition in the Church to the pagan custom of celebrating birthdays, although there is some indication that a purely religious commemoration of the birth of Christ was included in the feast of Epiphany. Clement of Alexandria mentions the existence of the feast in Egypt about the year A.D. 200 and we have some evidence that it was observed on various dates in scattered areas. After the triumph of Constantine, the Church at Rome assigned December 25 as the date for the celebration of the feast, possibly about A.D. 320 or 353. By the end of the fourth century the whole Christian world was celebrating Christmas on that day, with the exception of the Eastern Churches, where it was celebrated on January 6. The choice of December 25 was probably influenced by the fact that on this day the Romans celebrated the Mithraic feast of the Sun-god, and that the Saturnalia also came at this time." (Collier's Encyclopedia 1984 ed, v. 6, p. 403). A similar description of the origin of Christmas is found in-the Encyclopedia Britannica with some more details. Its following passage will throw more light on the point: "Christmas was not among the earliest festivals of the Church, and before the 5th century there was no general consensus of opinion as to when it should come in the calendar, whether on Jan. 6, March 25 or Dec. 25. The earliest identification of Dec. 25 with the birthday of Christ is in a passage, otherwise unknown and probably spurious, of the philos of Antioch (c.180), preserved in Latin by the Magdeburyg centuriators (i, 3, 118), to the effect that the Gauls contended that since they celebrated the birth of Lord on Dec. 25, so they ought to celebrate the resurrection on March 25. A passage, almost certainly interpolated, in 'Hippelates' (c. 202) commentary on Daniel iv, 23, says that Jesus was born at Bethlehem on Wednesday, Dec. 25, in the 42nd year of Augustus, but he mentions no feast, and such a feast, indeed, would conflict with the then orthodox ideas. As late as 245, Origin (hem. viii on Leviticus) repudiated the idea of keeping the birthday of Christ "as if he were a king Pharaoh". (Britannica, 1953 ed. v. 5, p.642) These two quotes are more than sufficient to prove the following points: 1. The commemoration of birthdays was originally a pagan custom, never recognized by a divine scripture or prophetic teaching. 2. The exact date of the Birth of Sayyidna 'Isa is unknown and impossible to be ascertained. 3. The commemoration of the birth of Jesus Christ was not a recognized practice in the early centuries of the Christian history. 4. It was in the 4th or 5th century that it was recognized as a religious feast, and that, too, under the influence of the pagans who worshipped Sun-god. 5. There was a strong opposition against the commemorating of the birthday by the early Christian scholars like Origin, on the ground that it is originally a custom of pagans and idolaters.

CHAPTER ON FIKR (CONTEMPLATION) From IKMALUSH SHIYAM The wandering of the heart in the spacious field of aliens is called fikr (contemplation). All makhluqaat (created objects) – everything besides Khaaliq (The Creator) are termed aliens (aghyaar). All creation from the heaven to the earth has been portrayed or compared to spacious fields. The reality of fikr is the wandering of the heart in these spacious fields. Wandering in these fields, in this context, means to contemplate the wonderful manifestations of Allah's power (Qudrat) which reveals itself perpetually, at every moment, in His creation. Some are born while others die; some are poor while others are wealthy. There are innumerable marvels in His creation inhabiting the heavens and the earth. Man is required to derive lesson from these marvellous objects of creation and contemplate on Allah's attributes of Beauty, Excellence and Splendour. This contemplation will lead him to Khaaliq Ta'ala. He will firmly believe that his Creator is Most Wise, Most Gracious, Most Majestic and Most Splendid. This is the type of fikr which we are commanded to observe. We have been forbidden to contemplate on the Thaat (Being) of Khaaliq because our minds being finite cannot comprehend the Infinite, Eternal Thaat. In such contemplation lurks the danger of renouncing the Deen. We seek Allah's protection. Belief in the Creator should be confined to the limits indicated to us. Further, one should contemplate on obedience and sin – that for a certain act of obedience there is a particular thawaab and for a sin there is a certain degree of punishment. Also, contemplate on the bounties of Allah. His bounties are innumerable and He is the true Benefactor. Contemplate on the perishable nature of the world and its objects. These various types of fikr are praiseworthy and we have been instructed to observe them. Fikr is the lamp of the heart. In its absence, the heart will be without light. Fikr which has been explained, is for the heart like a lamp. Minus fikr, the heart resembles a dark room in which there is no lamp. One does not know what lurks in that dark room in which nothing is visible. Similarly, without contemplation the reality and true nature of an object will not be fathomed. When man contemplates, the inner nature and reality of things will be revealed to him. He will see with open eyes (i.e. his spiritual eyes) the realities of Truth, Falsehood, the perishable nature of the world and the everlasting nature of the Hereafter. The Glory, Splendour, Power and Wrath of Allah, as well as Him being the True Benefactor will become vivid realities. Man will also become aware of his own hidden defects, the schemes and deceptions of his nafs and that the world is the abode of futility and deception. If the bandah refrains from fikr, his heart will become like a dark room. He will then be unable to differentiate the various things. There are two kinds of fikr. The fikr of Tasdeeq and Imaan, and the fikr of Mushaahadah and A'yaan. The first kind is for the Saalikeen and the second kind is for the people of Mushaahadah and Mu-aayanah, i.e. for the Majzubs. The select servants of Allah are of two kinds – the Saalik and the Majzub. The one who logically deducts the cause from the effects is a Saalik. He contemplates on the effects and arrives at the knowledge of the cause. His heart initially wanders in the objects of Divine Creation. From this contemplation he reaches the way to the Divine Attributes. For example, he sees people transgressing without Allah Ta'ala punishing them. From this he concludes that Allah's attribute is Hilm (to refrain from punishing despite having the power). From the beauty, excellence and perfection of objects, he infers that Allah is All-Wise. By means of prolonged contemplation on the Names and Attributes of Allah, the heart finally discovers the way leading to the Divine Thaat. Thus, by contemplating on the effects, he ultimately reaches the Cause – Allah Ta'ala. On the other hand, the one who concludes the effects by contemplating on the Cause, is a Majzub. Initially, his heart becomes imbued with the Mushaahadah of the Thaat. He then dwells in the Names and Attributes of Allah. Finally, he enters into the contemplation of Makhluqaat. Thus, while the Saalik is taken from the bottom to the top, the Majz م b is brought down from the top to the bottom. This is the state of those whose perfection Allah Ta'ala desires. Some Majzubs remain in the state of Jazb while some Saaliks remain suspended without attaining accomplishment. (In the state of Jazb the intellect is overwhelmed by Divine Love, hence the Majzub is not liable for the execution of the Shariah's obligations which are waived for him. – Translator) The Shaikh (rahmatullah alayh) says that there are two kinds of fikr. The first is known as the fikr of Tasdeeq and Imaan. This is the contemplation which is not the result of physical observation. Its basis is only Imaan. The second kind of fikr is known as Muaa-yanah and Mushaahadah. In the first kind contemplation the Saalikeen reach Allah by their contemplative study of His created objects. They utilise their physical senses in the observation and contemplation of creation to conclude the greatness of the Creator. The aim of this fikr is the Mushaahadah (Perception) of the Pure Thaat of Allah Ta'ala. Its motivating force is not only Imaan. Its progression is not from the Creator to the creation, but from the creation to the Creator. Thus, the focus of his heart's gaze is initially on creation and ultimately on the Creator. On the other hand, the knowledge possessed by the Majzub dictates to him the necessity of the existence of creation on account of the existence the Creator. The focus of his heart is initially on the Creator, later reaching creation. For this reason the Saalik is one whose senses and intellect are intact whereas the Majzu b generally acts in conflict with intelligence. It should be understood that the knowledge derived from contemplation is inspirational. It is a bestowal of Allah Ta'ala. It is not acquired by one's efforts. The Majlis

This clip was taken from one of the episodes of the Deen show. In this clip Nouman Ali Khan gives advice for Atheists. Advice for Atheists.mp3

Consider this: An archaeologist digs deep into the desert sand and finds a piece of an old clay pot. After his investigations, this archaeologist can tell us - from this little old piece of dusty clay - so much about the civilization that existed thousands of years ago that produced it. He can tell us about the types of ovens, temperatures, and dyes that they worked with, the raw materials that they used, and thus assess the level of their artistic skill and technological ability, etc. All this from a small piece of clay lying in the desert. 1 Did this archaeologist ever see the civilization that produced this pot? 2 How does he know that it ever existed? He knows because he saw that the piece of clay was produced by someone who designed it, and shaped it, and had the intelligence to be able to heat it and produce the pot, and not only that, they also had the ability to color it and make it look beautiful. A Design needs A Designer To the archaeologist the existence and intricacy of the piece of pottery is conclusive proof of the existence, intelligence and ability of the people who made it. Look around you, at the beautiful sunset on a summer evening, at the moon and the stars on a cloudless night, at the water that you drink, at the trees and how they grow from tiny seeds. Think about yourself, your eyes with which you see, your ears with which you hear, your tongues with which you taste and talk, your hands and your feet, your heart and your brain. Consider how these things are so complex in themselves yet work together in such perfect harmony. From the movement of the galaxies to the complexities of the interaction of molecules, from the dynamics of eco-systems to the intricacies of DNA, all lead to the obvious fact of the existence of the great wisdom, knowledge and power that allows our Universe to exist and function. To any perceptive human being the existence and intricacy of creation is conclusive proof of the existence, knowledge and wisdom of the One who creates, organizes and sustains it. Most people naturally recognize the existence of the Creator, and we find reference to the Creator in all cultures and religions. Even the atheists, communists and (disbelieving) scientists cannot avoid this reality, but avoid the term 'creator', for phrases like 'Mother Nature' and 'the amazing way nature has designed...' How strange in the face of this, that many today reject the belief in the existence of the Creator. Perhaps this is due more to fashion and the desire to justify a materialistic attitude to life rather than real observation and comprehension of reality. Can Creation be the Creator? Something stranger still (and perhaps another reason for the trend to deny the Creator), are those who claim that a man, or men, who walked on the earth, breathed air, who had bodies and souls subject to the Laws of the Universe, are the Creator, or manifestations of the Self-Subsistent One. This is of course a complete contradiction in terms. Something cannot be the Creator and created (the creation) at the same time (simultaneously), sustaining on air, food and drink and being self-sufficient, being temporary and eternal. We were created from a drop of despised fluid, in which was a microscopic sperm, which fertilized a microscopic egg and we grew in our mother's womb in stages predetermined, over which we had no control. We came from our mother's womb, urinating and defecating, needing constant attention and care. Without food we will die, without air we will die ... and then such a one is God? Natural instinct tells us there is a God. Indeed any intelligent person would recognize exactly how dependent life, the universe and everything is on its Creator. Our dire need for His help makes itself plain in times of great distress. Imagine yourself in an aeroplane and you know it is going to crash... Or on a ship in the sea, thrown helplessly up and down by towering waves... Who do you turn to for help then? There has been a situation at one time or other in your life when you called upon your Creator alone, forgetting everyone and everything else, hoping, trusting, wishing that the Being you know in your heart and soul that has power and control over all things would help you. The only One you know can save you. O creation of God, contemplate upon these verses: [2:164] Surely, in the creation of heavens and earth, and the alternation of night and day, and the ships that sail in the sea, carrying that which benefits men, and in the water Allah sent down from the sky, then revived with it the earth after it was dead, and in every creature He has scattered on it, and in turning of winds, and in the clouds employed to serve between heaven and earth, there are signs for those who have sense. [10:5] He is the One who has made the sun a glow, and the moon a light, and determined for it stages, so that you may learn the number of the years, and the calculation (of time). Allah has not created all this but for a rightful purpose. He elaborates the signs for a people who understand. [16:3] He created the heavens and the earth in the proper way. He is much higher than their ascribing partners to Him. [16:4] He created man from a drop, and soon he turned into a debating person, expressing himself openly. [16:5] He has created cattle in which there is warmth and other benefits for you; and from them you have food; [25:1] Glorious is the One who has revealed the Criterion to His servant, so that he may be a warner to all the worlds, [25:2] the One to whom belongs the kingdom of the heavens and the earth, and who did neither have a son, nor is there any partner to him in the Kingdom, and who has created everything and designed it in a perfect measure. [25:3] Yet they have adopted other gods, beside Him, who do not create any thing, as they themselves are created, and they possess no power to cause harm or benefit even to themselves, nor do they have any control over death or life or resurrection. [52:35] Is it that they are created by none, or are they themselves the creators?[52:36] Or have they created the heavens and the earth? No, but they are sure of nothing. [10:22] He is the One who enables you to travel on land and at sea, until when you are aboard the boats, and they sail with those on board, under a favorable wind, and they are pleased with it, there comes upon them a violent wind, and the wave comes upon them from every direction, and they think that they are surrounded from all sides, they pray to Allah, having faith in Him alone, (and say,) .If You deliver us from this, we shall be grateful indeed. [10:23] But when He delivers them, they at once start rebelling on the earth wrongfully. O people, your rebellion is, in fact, against your own selves. It is only worldly life that you are enjoying. Thereafter, it is to Us that you have to return; then We will tell you what you have been doing. central-mosque

Dialogue with an Atheist Professor "Let me explain the problem science has with God.", The atheist professor of philosophy pauses before his class and then asks one of his new students to stand. Professor: "You're a Muslim, aren't you, son?" Student: "Yes, sir" Professor: "So you believe in God?" Student: "Absolutely" Professor: "Is God good?" Student: "Sure! God's good" Professor: "Is God all-powerful? Can God do anything?" Student: "Yes" The professor grins knowingly and considers for a moment. "Here's one for you. Let's say there's a sick person over here and you can cure him. You can do it. Would you help them? Would you try?" Student: "Yes sir, I would" Professor: "So you're good...!" Student: "I wouldn't say that" Professor: "Why not say that? You would help a sick and maimed person if you could in fact most of us would if we could... God doesn't" [No answer] "He doesn't, does he? My brother was a Muslim who died of cancer even though he prayed to God to heal him. How is this God good? Hmmm? Can you answer that one?" [No answer] The elderly man is sympathetic. "No, you can't, can you?" He takes a sip of water from a glass on his desk to give the student time to relax. "In philosophy, you have to go easy with the new ones" "Let's start again, young fella" Professor: "Is God good?" Student: "Er... Yes" Professor: "Is Satan good?" Student: "No" Professor: "Where does Satan come from?" Student: "The student falters. From... God..." Professor: "That's right. God made Satan, didn't He?" The elderly man runs his bony fingers through his thinning hair and turns to the smirking, student audience. "I think we're going to have a lot of fun this semester, ladies and gentlemen". He turns back to the Muslim. "Tell me, son. Is there evil in this world?" Student: "Yes, sir" Professor: "Evil's everywhere, isn't it? Did God make everything?" Student: "Yes" Professor: "Who created evil?" [No answer] Professor: "Is there sickness in this world? Immorality? Hatred? Ugliness? All the terrible things - do they exist in this world?" The student squirms on his feet. Student: "Yes" Professor: "Who created them?" [No answer] The professor suddenly shouts at his student. "WHO CREATED THEM? TELL ME, PLEASE!" The professor closes in for the kill and climbs into the Muslim's face. In a still small voice: "God created all evil, didn't He, son?" [No answer] The student tries to hold the steady, experienced gaze and fails. Suddenly the lecturer breaks away to pace the front of the classroom like an aging panther. The class is mesmerized. "Tell me, he continues, How is it that this God is good if He created all evil throughout all time? The professor swishes his arms around to encompass the wickedness of the world. All the hatred, the brutality, all the pain, all the torture, all the death and ugliness and all the suffering created by this good God is all over the world, isn't it, young man?" [No answer] "Don't you see it all over the place? Huh?" Pause. "Don't you?" The professor leans into the student's face again and whispers, "Is God good?" [No answer] "Do you believe in God, son?" The student's voice betrays him and cracks. "Yes, professor. I do" The old man shakes his head sadly. "Science says you have five senses you use to identify and observe the world around you. You have never seen God, Have you?" Student: "No, sir. I've never seen Him" Professor: "Then tell us if you've ever heard your God? Student: "No, sir. I have not" Professor: "Have you ever felt your God, tasted your God or smelt your God...in fact, do you have any sensory perception of your God whatsoever?" [No answer] Professor: "Answer me, please" Student: "No, sir, I'm afraid I haven't" Professor: "You're AFRAID... you haven't?" Student: "No, sir" Professor: "Yet you still believe in him?" Student: "yes..." Professor: "That takes FAITH!" The professor smiles sagely at the underling. "According to the rules of empirical, testable, demonstrable protocol, science says your God doesn't exist. What do you say to that, son? Where is your God now?" The student doesn't answer "Sit down, please" The Muslim sits...Defeated. Another Muslim raises his hand. "Professor, may I address the class?" The professor turns and smiles. "Ah, another Muslim in the vanguard! Come, come, young man. Speak some proper wisdom to the gathering" The Muslim looks around the room. "Some interesting points you are making, sir. Now I've got a question for you. Is there such thing as heat?" Professor: Yes, the professor replies. There's heat. Student: "Is there such a thing as cold?" Professor: "Yes, son, there's cold too." Student: "No, sir, there isn't" Professor: The professor's grin freezes. The room suddenly goes very cold. The student continues. You can have lots of heat, even more heat, super-heat, mega-heat, white heat, a little heat or no heat but we don't have anything called 'cold'. We can hit 458 degrees below zero, which is no heat, but we can't go any further after that. There is no such thing as cold, otherwise we would be able to go colder than 458, You see, sir, cold is only a word we use to describe the absence of heat. We cannot measure cold. Heat we can measure in thermal units because heat is energy. Cold is not the opposite of heat, sir, just the absence of it" Silence. A pin drops somewhere in the classroom. Student: "Is there such a thing as darkness, professor?" Professor: "That's a dumb question, son. What is night if it isn't darkness? What are you getting at...?" Student: "So you say there is such a thing as darkness?" Professor: "Yes..." Student: "You're wrong again, sir. Darkness is not something, it is the absence of something. You can have low light, normal light, bright light, flashing light but if you have no light constantly you have nothing and it's called darkness, isn't it? That's the meaning we use to define the word. In reality, Darkness isn't. If it were, you would be able to make darkness darker and give me a jar of it. Can you... give me a jar of darker darkness, professor? Despite himself, the professor smiles at the young effrontery before him. "This will indeed be a good semester. Would you mind telling us what your point is, young man?" Student: "Yes, professor. My point is, your philosophical premise is flawed to start with and so your conclusion must be in error...." The professor goes toxic. "Flawed...? How dare you...! Student: "Sir, may I explain what I mean?" The class is all ears. Professor: "Explain... oh, explain..." The professor makes an admirable effort to regain control. Suddenly he is affability itself. He waves his hand to silence the class, for the student to continue. "You are working on the premise of duality", the Muslim explains. "That for example there is life and then there's death; a good God and a bad God. You are viewing the concept of God as something finite, something we can measure. Sir, science cannot even explain a thought. It uses electricity and magnetism but has never seen, much less fully understood them. To view death as the opposite of life is to be ignorant of the fact that death cannot exist as a substantive thing. Death is not the opposite of life, merely the absence of it" The young man holds up a newspaper he takes from the desk of a neighbor who has been reading it. "Here is one of the most disgusting tabloids this country hosts, professor, Is there such a thing as immorality?" Professor: "Of course there is, now look..." Student: "Wrong again, sir. You see, immorality is merely the absence of morality. Is there such thing as injustice? No. Injustice is the absence of justice. Is there such a thing as evil?" The Muslim pauses. "Isn't evil the absence of good?" The professor's face has turned an alarming color. He is so angry he is temporarily speechless. The Muslim continues. "If there is evil in the world, professor, and we all agree there is, then God, if he exists, must be accomplishing a work through the agency of evil. What is that work, God is accomplishing? Islam tells us it is to see if each one of us will, choose good over evil" The professor bridles. "As a philosophical scientist, I don't vie this matter as having anything to do with any choice; as a realist, I absolutely do not recognize the concept of God or any other theological factor as being part of the world equation because God is not observable" "I would have thought that the absence of God's moral code in this world is probably one of the most observable phenomena going", the Muslim replies. "Newspapers make billions of dollars reporting it every week! Tell me, professor, do you teach your students that they evolved from a monkey?" Professor: "If you are referring to the natural evolutionary process, young man, yes, of course I do." Student: "Have you ever observed evolution with your own eyes, sir?" The professor makes a sucking sound with his teeth and gives his student a silent, stony stare. Student: "Professor, Since no one has ever observed the process of evolution at work and cannot even prove that this process is an on-going endeavor, are you not teaching your opinion, sir? Are you now not a scientist, but a priest? Professor: "I will overlook your impudence in the light of our philosophical discussion. Now, have you quite finished?" the professor hisses. Student: "So you don't accept God's moral code to do what is righteous?" Professor: "I believe in what is - that's science!" Student: "Ahh! SCIENCE!", the student's face splits into a grin, "Sir, you rightly state that science is the study of observed phenomena. Science too is a premise which is flawed..." SCIENCE IS FLAWED..? the professor splutters. The class is in uproar. The Muslim remains standing until the commotion has subsided. Student: "To continue the point you were making earlier to the other student, may I give you an example of what I mean?" The professor wisely keeps silent. The Muslim looks around the room. "Is there anyone in the class who has ever seen air, oxygen, molecules, atoms, the professor's brain?" The class breaks out in laughter. The Muslim points towards his elderly crumbling tutor, "Is there anyone here who has ever heard the professor's brain... felt the professor's brain, touched or smelt the professor's brain?" "No one appears to have done so", The Muslim shakes his head sadly. "It appears no one here has had any sensory perception of the professor's brain whatsoever. Well, according to the rules of empirical, stable, demonstrable protocol, science, I declare that the professor has no brain!" The Muslim sits...Because that's what a chair is for!!!

Long ago in the city of Baghdad, there was a Muslim empire. On one side of the River Tigris were the royal palaces and on the other side was the city. The Muslims were gathered in the Royal Palace when an athiest approached them. He said to them, ‘I don’t believe in God, there cannot be a God, you cannot hear Him or see Him, you’re wasting your time! Bring me your best debator and I will debate this issue with him.’ The best debator at the time was Imam Abu Hanifah Rahimullah. A messenger from amongst the Muslims was sent over the River Tigris to the city, where Abu Hanifah Rahimullah was, in order to tell him about the athiest who was awaiting him. On crossing the River Tigris, the messenger conveyed the message to Abu Hanifah Rahimullah saying, ‘Oh Abu Hanifah, an athiest is waiting for you, to debate you, please come!’ Abu Hanifah Rahimullah told the messeneger that he would be on his way. The messenger went over the River Tigris once again and to the Royal Palaces, where everyone including the athiest awaited the arrival of Abu Hanifah Rahimullah. It was sunset at the time and one hour had passed, but Abu Hanifah Rahimullah still hadn’t arrived. Another hour had passed, but still there was no sign of him. The Muslims started to become tense and worried about his late arrival. They did not want the athiest to think that they were too scared to debate him, yet they did not want to take up the challenge themselves as Abu Hanifah Rahimullah was the best of Debators from amongst the Muslims. Another hour passed, and suddenly the athiest started laughing and said, ‘ Your best debator is too scared! He knows he’s wrong, he is too frightened to come and debate with me. I gurantee he will not turn up today.’ The Muslims increased in apprehension and eventually it had passed midnight, and the athiest had a smile on his face. The clock ticked on, and finally Abu Hanifah Rahimullah had arrived. The Muslims inquired about his lateness and remarked, ‘Oh Abu Hanifah, a messenger sent for you hours ago, and you arrive now, explain your lateness to us.’ Abu Hanifah Rahimullah apologises for his lateness and begins to explain, while the atheist listens to his story. ‘Once the messenger delivered the message to me, I began to make my way to the River Tigris, and on reaching the river bank I realised there was no boat, in order to cross the river. It was getting dark, and I looked around, there was no boat anywhere nor was there a navigator or a sailor in order for me to cross the river to get to the Royal Palaces. I continued to look around for a boat, as I did not want the athiest to think I was running away and did not want to debate with him. I was standing on the river bank looking for a navigator or a boat when something caught my attention in the middle of the river. I looked forward, and to my amazement I saw planks of wood rising to the surface from the sea bed. I was shocked, amazed, I couldn’t believe what I saw seeing. Ready made planks of wood were rising up to the surface and joining together. They were all the same width and length, I was astounded at what I saw. I continued to look into the middle of the river, and then I saw nails coming up from the sea floor. They positioned themselves onto the boat and held the planks together, without them being banged. I stood in amazement and thought to myself, ‘Oh Allah, how can this happen, planks of wood rising to the surface by itself, and then nails positioning themselves onto the boat without being banged?’ I could not undertsand what was happening before my eyes.’ The athiest meanwhile was listening with a smile on his face. Abu Hanifah Rahimullah continued, ‘I was still standing on the river bank watching these planks of wood join together with nails. I could see water seeping through the gaps in the wood, and suddenly I saw a sealant appear from the river and it began sealing the gaps without someone having poured it, again I thought, ‘Ya Allah, how is this possible, how can sealant appear and seal the gaps without someone having poured it, and nails appear without someone having banged them.’ I looked closer and I could see a boat forming before my eyes, I stood in amazement and was filled with shock. All of a sudden a sail appeared and I thought to myself, ‘How is this happening, a boat has appeared before my eyes by itself, planks of wood, nails, sealant and now a sail, but how can I use this boat in order to cross the river to the Royal Palaces?’ I stood staring in wonderment and suddenly the boat began to move. It came towards me against the current. It stood floating beside me while I was on the river bank, as if telling me to embark onto it. I went on the boat and yet again it began to move. There was no navigator or sailor on the boat, and the boat began to travel towards the direction of the royal palaces, without anyone having programmed it as to where to go. I could not understand what was happening, and how this boat had formed and was taking me to my destination against the flow of water. The boat eventually reached the other side of the River Tigris and I disembarked. I turned around and the boat had disappeared, and that is why I am late.’ At this moment, the athiest brust out laughing and remarked, ‘Oh Abu Hanifah, I heard that you were the best debator from amongst the Muslims, I heard that you were the wisest, the most knowledgable from amongst your people. From seeing you today, I can say that you show none of these qualities. You speak of a boat appearing from nowhere, without someone having built it. Nails positioning themselves without someone having banged them, sealant being poured without someone having poured it, and the boat taking you to your destination without a navigator against the tide, your taking childish, your talking rediculous, I swear I do not belive a word of it!’ Abu Hanifah Rahimullah turned to the athiest and replied, ‘You don’t believe a word of it? You dont believe that nails can appear by themselves? You dont believe sealant can be poured by itself? You dont believe that a boat can move without a navigator, hence you don’t believe that a boat can appear without a boat maker?’ The athiest remarked defiantly, ‘Yes I dont believe a word of it!’ Abu Hanifah Rahimullah replied, ‘If you cannot believe that a boat came into being without a boat maker, than this is only a boat, how can you believe that the whole world, the universe, the stars, the oceans, and the planets came into being without a creator? The athiest astonished at his reply got up and fled. Transcribed from a lecture delivered by Shaykh Ahmad Ali. haqislam

The Bible, the Qur’an and Science By Dr Maurice Bucaille BibleQuranScience.pdf Regarding the book, a reply from Mufti Ebrahim Desai Question I read all your fatwas and advices. Regarding your below information for a Athiest, i think Bucaille reading are not appropriate. As per the information which i cant confirm he is drafted the complete presentation after lot of research with many examples but he himlself has not accepted Islam. Second in his presentation “The Bible, the Qur’an and Science’ he says that Darwin evolution theory is supported by quran. Darwin is the biggest athiest and he is first person in the modern science to refute the existence of god. His famous fabricated theory “Origian of Species”, “Natural Selection”, ”survival for fittest”, all this theories denies existence of god. His all theories claim that man came in this world by chance. I think Bucaille presentation should not be forwarded as message of Islam. We have lot of other book which should be taken as example. Any how i request our Ulamas to investigate more on Bucaille books. Answer In the name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful Assalaamu `alaykum waRahmatullahi Wabarakatuh We appreciate you writing to us. Hereunder are responses to your concerns. 1) Your first concern is about the faith of Dr Maurice Bucaille. Firstly, you yourself admitted that you can’t confirm that he is not Muslim. Secondly, only Allah knows the true beliefs and creed of a person that he conceals in his heart; however, by studying the books of Dr Bucaille one can conclude that he believes the Quran to be a revelation from God, and Muhammed (Sallallaahu Alahi Wa Sallam) to be a Prophet of God. Consider the following passages from his book: “Thanks to its undisputed authenticity, the text of the Quran holds a unique place among the books of Revelation, shared neither by the Old nor the New Testament… Also to be underlined is the distinction to be made between the Quran, a book of written Revelation, and the hadiths, collections of statements concerning the actions and sayings of Muhammad. Some of the Prophet’s companions started to write them down from the moment of his death… The Quranic Revelation was made by Archangel Gabriel to Muhammad…” (The Bible, the Quran and Science pg. 135-6 ) Moreover, Islam teaches us that words of wisdom are to be taken heed of even if they are uttered by a non-Muslim. Consider the following: Abu Hurairah (Radiyallaahu Anhu) narrates that Rasulullah (Sallallaahu Alaihi Wa Sallam) said, ‘Wisdom is the lost property of a Mu’min. Where ever he finds it, he is most deserving of it (i.e. to act upon it and to benefit form it).’ (Ibn Majah, hadith no. 4159). Ali (Radiyallaahu Anhu) said, “Look at what is being said. Do not look at who said it.” (Mirqaatul Mafaatih vol. 9 pg. 403 Rasheediya) Dr Bucaille’s book ‘The Bible, the Quran and Science’ was suggested for the atheist in reference for the following reasons: 1) The atheist in reference seemed to admire Science and this book specifically proves that all the Quranic verses dealing with Science are in total agreement with the principles of Science. 2) The author, just like the atheist in reference, is a westerner. There is a saying amongst the Arabs: الجنس يميل الى الجنس meaning that one is inclined to ones own kind. 3) The author of the book does not come from an Islamic background — he embraced Islam after studying the Quran and confirming its accuracy in regards to the scientific phenomena described therein. For a Muslim to confirm the accuracy of the Quran is not something amazing. However, for an expert in the field of Science, who comes from a non-Islamic background, to confirm that each and every Quranic verse dealing with scientific phenomena is absolutely accurate, is a great marvel in itself and would certainly create zeal, especially in non-Muslims, to explore this infallible and divine book: the Holy Quran. This confirmation should even increase the faith of the Muslims. Tameen Daari (Radiyallaahu Anhu), when he was still a Christian, met Dajjal in an Island and spoke to him. Later on, when he embraced Islam, he informed Rasulullah (Sallallaahu Alaihi Wa Sallam) about his experience with Dajjal. Rasulullah (Sallallaahu Alaihi Wa Sallam) gathered his companions and, expressing his joy, told them that he has received confirmation from Tameen Daari (Radiyallaahu Anhu) about the narrations he had related to them regarding Dajjal. (Saheeh Muslim, hadith no. 5235). From this narration we learn that even Rasulullah (Sallallaahu Alaihi Wa Sallam) was delighted when Tameem Daari (Radiyallaahu Anhu) confirmed what Rasulullah (Sallallaahu Alaihi Wa Sallam) already knew through revelation. 4) Since the atheist in reference comes from a place where the Christians are the majority, it is highly possible that he became an atheist due to the absurdities of Christianity. It is a fact that a lot of people from Christian backgrounds are becoming atheists. Apart from highlighting the accuracy of the Quran, this book outlines the absurdities of the Bible in light of the established scientific principles. A sensible person would, therefore, conclude that since Bible contains many absurdities, it must altogether be man-made, or at least, contaminated by man, and since the Quran is free from such defects, it must be from God in the pure, uncontaminated form. 2) We could not find where Dr Bucaille supports Darwinism in his book. If you can find it please give us the reference. In fact, Dr Bucaille wrote a book ‘What is the Origin of Man’ in which he refuted the theories of Charles Darwin and the likes. Please see chapter one of the book. And Allah Ta’ala Knows Best Wassalamu Alaykum Ml. Faizal Riza Correspondence Iftaa Student, Australia Checked and Approved by: Mufti Ebrahim Desai Darul Iftaa, Madrassah In’aamiyyah

Question: Whether there is a God or not is a search personal to every individual. Nobody can know all things in Universe& how it all came to be. All religions like Islam can offer is a story. Many accept this story as fact, when it is merely blind faith. The scientific view is based on knowledge that has been acquired by research, experimentation, analysis & conclusion. It is not based in any kind of blind belief in scriptures, dogma or traditions. Herein lies the difference. When science in confronted with new evidence that contradicts the established view, scientists adjust their theories accordantly.This is the difference between religion & science. As Islam purports to be the word of God (Allah), it cannot change the story when faced with contradictory evidence. Islamist would rather try to bully the opposing viewpoints rather than debate them. Answer: I forwarded your question to my friend sheikh Ismail lala, who is a graduate of Oxford university and still in pursuit of further knowledge. He wrote the following answer. “I thank you for your question. The point you raise is a singularly pertinent one. However, it seems to me to be fundamentally misguided. The reason is your premise seems to be a mutual exclusivity between science and religion. If we were to accept this, we would also have to accept that religious scholars have made no appreciable contributions to the field of science. It would then be difficult to explain the towering contributions of Islamic scholars such as Ibn Rushd (Averroes), Ibn Sina (Avicenna), Ibn Khaldun etc. to name but a few. These scholars made huge strides in the fields of philosophy, theology, logic, psychology, politics, medicine, astronomy, geography, mathematics, physics, chemistry, geology, modern historiography, sociology and economics. And here I make no reference to the numerous contributions made by scholars of other religions who, if your argument is to be followed to its logical conclusion, could not have made significant scientific advances due to the overwhelming strictures of religious indoctrination. Indeed, introduction of the aforementioned scholars to these fields under the unitary and unrelenting gaze of religion, if it was opposed to such spheres of inquiry, would itself be somewhat difficult to explain. Thus, the position that religion has an adversarial relationship with science is untenable. We must therefore conclude that Islam not only tolerates, but encourages the study of science. Indeed, we find many verses of the Qur’an that inspire us to pursue scientific study and to utilise the faculty of reason. Allah (s.w.t.) says in the Qur’an, أَوَلَمۡ يَتَفَكَّرُواْ فِىٓ أَنفُسِہِم‌ۗ مَّا خَلَقَ ٱللَّهُ ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٲتِ وَٱلۡأَرۡضَ وَمَا بَيۡنَہُمَآ إِلَّا بِٱلۡحَقِّ وَأَجَلٍ۬ مُّسَمًّ۬ى‌ۗ Have they not pondered upon themselves? Allah created not the heavens and the earth, and that which is between them, save with truth and for a destined end (Surah al-Rum, verse 8 ) Elsewhere, it is stated, كِتَـٰبٌ أَنزَلۡنَـٰهُ إِلَيۡكَ مُبَـٰرَكٌ۬ لِّيَدَّبَّرُوٓاْ ءَايَـٰتِهِۦ وَلِيَتَذَكَّرَ أُوْلُواْ ٱلۡأَلۡبَـٰبِ (This is) a Book (the Qur’ân) which We have sent down to you, full of blessings that they may ponder over its Verses, and that men of understanding may take heed (Surah al-Sad, verse 29) Allah (s.w.t.) also remarks, وَسَخَّرَ لَكُم مَّا فِى ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٲتِ وَمَا فِى ٱلۡأَرۡضِ جَمِيعً۬ا مِّنۡهُ‌ۚ إِنَّ فِى ذَٲلِكَ لَأَيَـٰتٍ۬ لِّقَوۡمٍ۬ يَتَفَكَّرُونَ And (He) has subjected to you all that is in the heavens and all that is in the earth; it is all as a favour and kindness from Him. Verily, in it are signs for a people who think deeply (Surah al-Jathiya, verse 13) It is also stated in the Qur’an: قُل سيروا فِى الأَرضِ فَانظُروا كَيفَ بَدَأَ الخَلقَ ۚ ثُمَّ اللَّهُ يُنشِئُ النَّشأَةَ الءاخِرَةَ ۚ إِنَّ اللَّهَ عَلىٰ كُلِّ شَيءٍ قَديرٌ Say (O Muhammad): Travel in the land and see how He originated creation, then Allah bringeth forth the later growth (ie life after death). Lo! Allah is Able to do all things. These verses clearly support the pursuance of scientific inquiry as a means of galvanising one’s faith, which serves to veritably refute your claim that Islam promulgates “blind faith”. The Qur’an engenders no such attitude. We are commanded to investigate, interrogate, and examine. The reason we are ordered to do this is scientific discovery will almost invariably buttress Islamic tenets. Indeed, there exists an intellectual symbiosis between science and religious knowledge: both through their respective channels foster doctrinal certitude. I would now like to address the following statement, “As Islam purports to be the word of God (Allah), it cannot change the story when faced with contradictory evidence.” If I understand correctly, you mean by this that if scientific inquiry yields evidence which contradicts the Qur’an, due to the immutability of the Word of God, Islam has no answer. If this be the crux of your argument, then few Muslims would dispute it. What is a point of much contention, however, is the nature of this “contradictory evidence”. It would aid me immeasurably if you could delineate what you mean by this by citing specific theories, scientific facts etc. so that I may allay any reservations you have regarding their congeniality with the Quranic text. It seems to me there has been a misapprehension as to what the Qur’an represents, for your statement assumes that our knowledge of the Qur’an is absolute. Only then can any theories, scientific facts, etc. be deemed to be categorically contrary to them. But this is not the case. The Qur’an itself states, هُوَ ٱلَّذِىٓ أَنزَلَ عَلَيۡكَ ٱلۡكِتَـٰبَ مِنۡهُ ءَايَـٰتٌ۬ مُّحۡكَمَـٰتٌ هُنَّ أُمُّ ٱلۡكِتَـٰبِ وَأُخَرُ مُتَشَـٰبِهَـٰتٌ۬‌ۖ He it is Who has sent down to thee the Book: in it are verses basic or fundamental (of established meaning); they are the foundation of the Book: others are not of well-established meaning (Surah Al-’Imran, verse 6) Hence, it follows that as our understanding of the Qur’an is at best embryonic, we cannot therefore deem scientific discoveries as being decisively opposed to it, though this does happen on occasion (and on these occasions there are perfectly valid counter theories to the proposed ones). I would like to illustrate this point with one of the many examples that could be given from the Qur’an. Allah (s.w.t.) states, وَلَقَدۡ خَلَقۡنَا ٱلۡإِنسَـٰنَ مِن سُلَـٰلَةٍ۬ مِّن طِين ٍ۬ثُمَّ جَعَلۡنَـٰهُ نُطۡفَةً۬ فِى قَرَارٍ۬ مَّكِينٍ۬ ثُمَّ خَلَقۡنَا ٱلنُّطۡفَةَ عَلَقَةً۬ فَخَلَقۡنَا ٱلۡعَلَقَةَ مُضۡغَةً۬ فَخَلَقۡنَا ٱلۡمُضۡغَةَ عِظَـٰمً۬ا فَكَسَوۡنَا ٱلۡعِظَـٰمَ لَحۡمً۬ا Man We did create from a quintessence (of clay). Then We placed him as (a drop of) sperm in a place of rest firmly fixed. Then We made the sperm into a clot of congealed blood; then of that clot We made a (foetus) lump; then We made out of that lump bones and clothed the bones with flesh (Surah al-Mu’minun, verses 11-14) A person in seventh century Arabia could hardly have understood the embryological intricacies of these verses, and yet we know today through scientific research that the growth of the embryo in the womb of the mother is exactly as here described. This, I believe, is what ‘Umar (r.a.) meant when he remarked, “The best commentary of the Qur’an is the passage of time.” In his statement is an acknowledgement of the deficiency of human thought, of its continual development, and eventual concordance with the meaning of the Qur’an. This brings me rather neatly to my final response. You mention in your question that “The scientific view is based on knowledge that has been acquired by research, experimentation, analysis, and conclusion … Here in lies the difference. When science is confronted with new evidence that contradicts their established view scientists adjust their theories accordantly.” Comments such as these, which exude a kind of unjustifiable complacency in what scientific research has uncovered, and the belief that all antithetical opinions are erroneous, are all too common among scientists. For did not the brightest minds in the world at one point believe the Earth was flat, or that it was the centre of the universe? If we see this not to be the case today, what is to say a more powerful telescope will not reveal a new reality tomorrow? It is what Nuh Ha Mim Keller has dubbed the, “fallacy of misplaced concrescence.” This, Mr. Keller continues, is a new religion: Scientism. He cites the following definition of Scientism, “Scientism is science’s belief in itself: that is, the conviction that we can no longer understand science as one form of possible knowledge, but rather must identify knowledge with science” (Habermas, Knowledge and Human Interests. Tr. Jeremy J. Shapiro. Boston: Beacon Press, 1971, 4). Shaykh Nuh, in his excellent treatise on the subject, concludes with hopes that science, “might have the epistemological modesty to ‘get back,’ from its current scientistic pretentions to its true nature, as one area of human interpretation among others.” I too, share this hope. I have been compelled to deal with many matters here with consummate brevity owing to want of space. If you feel that I have glossed over any issues I ask your pardon. Please do not hesitate to contact me if you have specific theories/discoveries etc. you would like me to address. I would once again like to thank you for posing the question. ————————————— Bismillahir Rahmanir Raheem I (Abdul Raheem) would like to add a few points to the above answer. 1, You say that religion is based on stories. This maybe the case with some religions where gods are said to be fighting with one another. However, monotheist religions are based on evidence. Islam is at the forefront of them. Islam is the most open religion of them all. Islam invites people to explore, research, study facts and to hold debates. This is the reason Islam has been the choice of great thinkers. If one studies the golden age of Muslim scientists, he will conclude that many of the modern researches were conducted by Muslims. 2, To say that religions are made up stories would be to say that those who follow religion are stupid people with little or no understanding. And if that was the case, no scientist would have ever followed a religion. Whereas we see that all the great scientists of the past have been religious. Sir Issac Newton was a devout chiristian, Albert einstien was a Jew, and what about Muslim scientists and philosophers? They are countless. To name a few; Ibn Sina, Al Farabi, Al Biruni, ibn An Nafis, Abussalt Al Andalusi, Ibn Rushd Al Hafidh who was renowned for his fiqh, medicine and philosophy. Fakhruddin Ar Raazi, and Imam Ghazali. Of the recent era, 1, Eliyas James Corey- Noble prize winner 1990 USA, 2,Ahmed Zawail- Nobel prize winner 1999, USA and Egyptian citizen, 3, Brian Medawar- Nobel prize winner 1960- British citizen, 4, Ferid murad-winner 1998 USA citizen 5, Abdussalam- winner 1979 Pakistan citizen, For more details see; The Glorious Quran and modern science by Professor Md. Anisur Rahman p.151 What have the atheists contributed to the humanity? Nothing. How many Athiests achieved the noble peace prize? None at all. in fact atheism has done nothing but create anarchy among the society by giving green light to all vices. Some have even declared rape as a legitimate way of reproduction, see p.106 of the above mentioned book. Therefore, to assume that only atheists have some degree of understanding and the rest of the world are idiots is in itself idiocy. 3, There is a huge difference between fact and theory. Theory is a concept which is based on educated guesses, where people get two or more premises and then come up with a conclusion or derivation. A theory is only correct if the presumptions are correct, however, we know that presumptions are often subject to doubts. People’s presumptions change depending on their age, intelligence, previous knowledge and experience. For example a child thinks that mummy pointed towards a four legged animal and said “cat” next time it sees a dog and thinks it’s a cat. Likewise, evolutionists are basing their theory, not on facts but rather on information and research which are incomplete, inconclusive and always changing. Their method of research and function of conclusion are far from being scientific. Then when they are proven to be wrong scientifically, they attempt to give false logical explanations. Evolution is a theory, Hence, it is open to scrutiny and is not to be accepted until proven. It is not yet proven and never will be till the day of qiyamah. To put it in the words of Revrand Williams ” We do not ban research, but we will not allow the wild vagaries of imagination to pass as truth” 4, if scientific research of the big bang is correct, then why did it only happen once? There are millions of atoms in the universe at this present time. Why is it not repeating itself? Let’s say the big bang did take place, then is it not possible that God was behind it? In fact a verse in the holy qur’an indicates towards this. Allah says “Have those who disbelieve not seen that the heavens and the earth were joined then we parted them, and from water we created every living thing, Will they not then beIieve? (Suratul Ambiyaa 21:30) Professor Anisur Rahman is of the view that this verse is pointing towards the big bang. 5. What is philosophy? It is a way of thinking. When philosophers think about creation they start off with the big bang and evolution at the back of their minds. So everything that follows is based on that. Religious people have God in their hearts and so they think of the universe as a creation which was brought into existence by the Supreme Creator. Both try to prove their point. One prominent professor says that both groups study the universe, the scientists as well as the religious. However, their intentions are different. A parable can be made with a group entering a beautiful palace. Some are looking around to see if there is anything useful for them, any ideas they can take and copy in their own places or maybe any mistakes which they can point out. The others look around in wonder and are amazed by the way it’s been constructed. They admire the architect and praise the engineers and builders. Similarly, the philosophers study the universe for their own agenda. However, the religious study and marvel at the wisdom of the creator. That is why when a scientist is a believer, his belief is much stronger than a layman. 6, I think science keeps changing because it is still immature, maybe one day when it will mature, it will merge with Islam. Source

Kashif Zuberi What is the evidence of existence of God? One may ask, what is the evidence of the existence of God? What is the evidence that the earth and the universe that we see around us have a Creator? Can't this come into existence on its own? The Reply: The design in creation proves the existence of a designer. As one of names by which God calls Himself in the Quran is 'Al-Mosawer', meaning 'The Fashioner'. We find that certain basic forces and ratios which govern critical features of our universe, such as the stability of subatomic particles and the lifetime of stars, are uncannily specific and sensitive - in some cases to the 3rd decimal place - and that any slight change would short circuit the development of a universe like ours. No scientist denies this. The Big Bang is now an established science which formed the galaxies, and the universe we live in. However, was this a result of chance or is there an intelligent Designer behind it? Let us analyse. If one considers that it was a result of chance, that it happened accidentally, the question that arise is that do accidents result in chaos or design? Observation tells us that accidents result in chaos. If a glass is dropped from a table and breaks into pieces, the result is chaos. If a salvage yard on the south side of town blows up, the metal pieces do not form a car, infact the result is a chaos. And so on. However if we observe the universe, it is not a chaos. There surely is a specific design. How can this design come into existence by chance? So i say, that there has to a Intelligent Designer behind this. Who created God? A counter argument that any atheist may present is that if all these have a creator, then the creator of all these must also have a Creator. So who created God? And also what proof is there that this creator is Only One? The Reply: The reply to this is that this Designer has to be One, who is not designed Himself. Because if one says that we are designed by someone, who was himself designed, then that designer would need a designer itself, and so on. This would go to infinity. Lets see if this is possible. Suppose if A asks B to help him to lift a table, and B puts a condition that he will help only if he is helped by C, and C puts the condition that he will help, only if he is helped by D, and the chain goes to infinity. Will the table be ever lifted up? The answer is no. Similarly if the Creator needs a creator, then that creator would also need a creator. And this would go till infinity. If this were the case, the creation would never take place. But since we are in existence, creation has taken place. This proofs that there has to be one Ultimate Creator who was not created. So, for us to exist, the action has already taken place. This proves the existence of a Designer, who was Himself not designed, but exists on His own, without a beginning. Unique Creator: This creator has to be unlike creation, otherwise He would have needed a creator to create Him.