Issues and Questions

Facial Plastic Surgery, Bell, Feet Covering, Fasting

By Dr Muzammil H. Siddiqi

Q 1. It takes me at least 15 minutes one way to reach the mosque from my work place. I spend almost 45 minutes for Zuhr’ prayer. When days are shorter, most of the times I miss ‘Asr prayer because I cannot take another 45 minutes off from work. Can I combine Zuhr and ‘Asr prayers? What can I do about Maghrib prayer? Can I combine all these prayers or is there any other way I could prevent missing my prayers?
A 1. If you have difficulty to take time off for Zuhr and ‘Asr both prayers during your office hours, you are allowed to combine Zuhr and ‘Asr. You may pray Zuhr and ‘Asr at Zuhr time or you may delay the Zuhr prayer and pray it along with ‘Asr at ‘Asr time. Similarly Maghrib and ‘Isha prayers can also be combined. One may pray both at Maghrib time or one may delay Maghrib and pray it along with ‘Isha at ‘Isha time. The combining of two prayers (Jam’ bayn al-salatain) is permissible during travel or due to some illness or other difficulties. Some jurists have allowed workers at offices or students at schools to combine two prayers when it is needed. Otherwise prayers should be performed at their own time without any delay.
It is not permissible to combine more than two prayers. The combination is allowed only between Zuhr and ‘Asr or between Maghrib and ‘Isha. Any other way of combination (such as between ‘Asr and Maghrib or ‘Isha and Fajr or Fajr and Zuhr) is not permissible.

Q 2. I have a question about the bell. Prophet Muhammad - peace be upon him - received inspirations that came in a bell sound but I also read a Hadith that stated that the bell is Shaitan’s instrument. Now I am confused. Can you explain the difference?
A 2. It is reported in al-Bukhari that the Prophet -peace be upon him- said about the Revelation (wahy) that sometimes it came to him like the ringing of the bell (mithla salsalat al-jaras, see al-Bukhari, Hadith no. 2). The commentators of the Hadith say that it means that it was as strong as the ringing of the bell. It was very clear and loud to the Prophet and he would hear it very well, grasp it and understand it. (see Ibn Hajar’s Fath al-Bari, vol. 1)
There are some other Ahadith in which the Prophet - peace be upon him - discouraged people from the use of bells (see al-Bukhari Hadith 3005) and called them the instrument of Shaitan. This does not mean that every type of bells are the instruments of Devil. It means, most probably, those bells that were used in pagan and other non-Islamic worship or for the purpose of superstitions. It is mentioned that some Arabs used to hang bells around the necks of their camels for some superstitious reasons. The Prophet - peace be upon him - was against all superstitions and so he disliked those types of bells.
Q 3. Does Islam allow facial plastic surgery?
A 3. Plastic cosmetic surgery is permissible in Islam only if it can correct or improve a defect that bothers a person physically, emotionally or psychologically. It should be done when it is very much needed. Unnecessary plastic surgery, just to change the shape and style, is a waste of time and money and is disliked according to the Shri’ah.

Q 4. Is it not required for a Muslim man to have a Sikh woman convert to Islam before he marries her?
A 4. Indeed, it is required. Muslim men should marry Muslim women. If a non-Muslim woman accepts Islam, then it is permissible to marry her. All Muslim jurists are unanimous (ijma’) that the Qur’an’s permission to Muslims to marry the women of the People of the Book (Ahl al-Kitab) is applicable to Jewish and Christian women only and it cannot be extended to any other group. Muslim men are allowed to marry Jewish or Christian women, but even this permission is conditional. The woman must be of good moral character (muhsanah). She should also agree that her children born in this marriage would be raised as Muslims. If there is any doubt or danger that this will not happen then it is not allowed to have this type of marriage.

Q 5. I have a question, which is important and can benefit other women also. What is the Islamic ruling on covering feet? Somebody was saying that we are supposed to wear socks even when we offer our prayers. I think we are not to cover our feet as we do not cover our hands (feet are to legs what hands are to arm?) I can understand that we have to wear socks when we dress or skirt (that is to hide legs) but do we have to wear socks even when we are wearing Shalwar Qameez. Are we supposed to wear socks all the times?
A 5. Women are not required to wear socks, but they should wear shirts, skirts or trousers that are long enough to cover their ankles. If whatever they are wearing does not cover their ankles then they should wear socks that are thick, not those that are sheer or see-through type.

- DrSiddiqi@aol.com

Editor: Akhtar M. Faruqui
© 2004 pakistanlink.com . All Rights Reserved.