Issues and Questions

Distribution of Sadqah Money, Non-Muslims Relatives, Wudu
By Dr Muzammil H. Siddiqi

Q 1. I have a question regarding the distribution of Sadaqah. Can Sadaqah be given to a hospital for construction and meeting its running expenses?
A 1. There is no prohibition or restriction in giving sadaqah money for the construction and running expenses of a hospital. Muslims always give their charity for building hospitals, schools, orphanages etc. This is the best use of Sadaqah and it becomes a Sadaqah Jariyah, i.e. a charity that brings the blessings and reward of Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala always as long as people benefit from this charity. Unlike Zakat, which has some restrictions, Sadaqah is a general charity and it can be used to help any needy person or institution.
However, since Sadaqah is for poor people only, it is important that when rich people or people who do not need charity use a hospital or school that is built by charity they should pay for its services, or they should make a donation to this institution when they use its services.
Q 2. I need some help in regards to the rights of my non-Muslim family over me, i.e. my funeral (and every soul shall taste death). My oldest son is not a Muslim, please make du'a that Allah t'ala opens his heart to Islam. Ameen. My questions are as follows:
1. Is it permissible for him (my son) to help lower my body in the grave?
2. Would my blood-sisters be allowed to help shroud my body? (I am a female.)
3. Is there a "viewing" in Islam ?(Not at prayer, like night before at funeral home)
4. Who is allowed to see my face, besides my immediate family, if any? F example; non-Muslim family, former co-workers, ex-non-Muslim husband, those I called friends in the Dunya, or any non-believer.
5. Would it be permissible to have a leaflet distributed (at janazah) that explains about death in Islam (i.e. not to wail, etc, etc) and that invites to Islam?
A 2. As a general answer to your questions, let me say that Islam does not forbid Muslims from having good relations with their non-Muslim relatives and friends. Allah says in the Qur'an, "Allah forbids you not those who warred not against you on account of your religion and have driven you not from your homes, that you should show them kindness and deal justly with them. Indeed, Allah loves those who do justice." (al-Mumtihinah 60:8) Following are the answers to your specific questions:
1. A Muslim should have an Islamic burial. If a Muslim convert has some non-Muslim members in his/her family and they want to help in his/her Islamic funeral and burial, there is no prohibition on them to do so. Thus a non-Muslim son is allowed to lower the body of his Muslim father or mother.
2. The non-Muslim sister is also allowed to shroud the body of her Muslim sister.
3. Viewing of the face of a deceased person is allowed in Islam.
4. Although the face of a woman, whether alive or dead is not "awrah" (something that must be hidden), for the sake of modesty only close relatives should be allowed to see her face after death. It should not be viewed by common public. Non-Mahrams (any non-related males including ex-husband) should not touch a female's body.
5. For the sake of Da'wah or to give information to the non-Muslim relatives about Islam and Islamic funerals, it is good to distribute some flyers, but one should not make it a custom. It should only be done if there is a need and some benefit in it.
Q 3. Is it compulsory to fast on the day of Mi'raj?
A 3. There is no compulsory or recommended fast for the day of Mi'raj, i.e. 27th of Rajab. Actually there is no special ceremony recommended in the Qur'an and Sunnah for the day of Isra' and Mi'raj. Muslims may gather together to remember the great miracle of Isra' and Mi'raj, learn its significance in Islam, and especially remember the importance of the city of Jerusalem in Islam. It is good to remind us on this occasion of our duty as Muslims to liberate Jerusalem and to do something to help our brothers and sisters who are suffering in Palestine, but there are no special prayers or fasts associated with this day or night.
Q 4. I read your columns with interest and respect. You put things in perspective and do not admonish people for asking questions. The following issue was raised in our tarbiyah program and we could not arrive at any conclusion.
Making Wudu' with water is totally inconvenient and unrealistic. When we do not see dust around, unless one uses microscope, it is not a convincing argument that Wudu' is for cleanliness. Secondly, a lot of people use make-ups, most of the women use it, and those people whose skin is dry, use some kind of cream. For them putting on make-up and cream every two hours is not possible. Thirdly, one cannot go in the office bathroom and wash the face. Fourthly, there is no place in the washroom where a person can remove shoes and stand up at a religiously clean place and cleanse the feet. Fifthly, because of the cold weather, it is cumbersome to remove the layers of clothes to wash our hands. Sixthly, some people use gels on their hairs. They cannot use gels whenever they do masah in their hair. In other words, the arguments are unlimited. The system of Wudu' was perfectly fine 1400 years ago or still can be a little bit justified in the Arab countries because of their weather and attire. Conversely, in North America and Europe, it is unrealistic. Can some kind of tayammum be used as an alternative?
A 4. Islam is for all places and for all times. There are millions of Muslims in the West and in cold countries making Wudu' and performing their prayers for centuries. Those who want to argue and find excuses can always do so. But as Muslims we have to remember that it is Allah who has given us these rules of 'Ibadah. He knows everything, every time and every climate. His Messenger - may peace and blessings be upon him - told us that we should perform Wudu' before the prayer. It brings blessings upon us. The Wudu will be our distinguishing mark on the Day of Judgment and we shall be recognized by our Wudu' inshallah. To answer the arguments against Wudu that you mentioned, let me say:
1. The purpose of Wudu' is not only to wash dust and dirt, it is to keep us clean and fresh. Washing of face and hands several times during the day makes a person very clean and healthy. Wudu' also prepares us in a spiritual way to stand before our Lord. Cleanliness of the body is only one aspect of Wudu'. It has many other benefits and blessings.
2. Muslims should be moderate in their make-up. Too much make up is not good - neither for the skin, nor for the soul and certainly not for the budget. If one really is concerned about savings, it is better to save on make-up rather than on the water of Wudu'. Those who make Wudu' have such a noor - light on their faces - that they do not need much make-up any way. One does not need to remove the make-up every two hours for Wudu'. One can put whatever make-up is necessary after Fajr, then make Wudu' at Zuhr time. One can easily pray Zuhr and 'Asr with one Wudu', and similarly Maghrib and 'Isha', if there is a problem with the use of water.
3. A Muslim should not be ashamed of washing his face in the office bathroom. People stand up and urinate in the office bathroom talking to each other; if they are not ashamed of that, why should a Muslim be ashamed of washing his face? There is nothing un-civilized about washing ones face. Muslims should be bold and proud of their values and principles. Those who feel ashamed of making Wudu in front of others will feel more ashamed of offering prayers also.
4. One does not need to remove socks and wash the feet for every Wudu', it is allowed in Islam to make Masah on the socks for one day and night (and during journey for three days and nights), if one puts them on after Wudu' first time and does not remove them in between.
5. We are living in such a comfortable environment of heated buildings and bathrooms and yet we complain of cold weather and removing clothing. Just think of Muslims in Afghanistan, Turkistan, Tajikistan, Albania, Bosnia, and how they have been making Wudu for centuries. Some of them make Wudu with snow and frozen water. The Prophet - peace be upon him - said that those who make Wudu in spite of difficulties will have a special reward from Allah.
6. Too much gel is not good for the hair anyway. Use good quality gel and the Masah will not affect it very much. Masah is only to spread wet hands over the hair, it is not meant to wash hai ror to make them wet. Actually, your hair may look more shiny and fresh after a little Masah, so do not worry too much about gels.
Tayammum is a substitute for Wudu only when one is sick or when water is not available. Otherwise there is no substitute for Wudu'. Feel happy that you belong to the Ummah of Purity and cleanliness. May Allah help us to spread cleanliness to our surroundings as well.
- DrSiddiqi@aol.com

Editor: Akhtar M. Faruqui
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