From the greatest scholars of the Ummah in the last century was al-ʿAllāmah al-Shakyh `Abd al-ʿAzīz ibn ʿAbdillãh ibn Bāz raḥimahullāh. His firmly grounded knowledge of the religion, wisdom, and piety, were characteristics that made him recognized by Muslims internationally. A collection of his rulings, al-Majmūʿ al-Fatāwá́, is an outstanding example of these aformentioned characeristics.
Listen to this short benefit and gain a greater understanding of your religion. May Allāh increase you in beneficial knowledge and righteous actions.
Shaykh Muḥammad Amīn al-Shanqīṭī (d. 1393 AH) said:
The saying of the Most High:
إِلَّا إِبْلِيسَ أَبَىٰ وَاسْتَكْبَرَ
“Except Iblīs (Satan), he refused [to prostrate to Ādam] and was proud.”
(Al-Baqarah, 2:34)
The alleged reasoning for his arrogance is not clarified here. However, this is clarified in other places in the Qurʾān like His saying:
قَالَ أَنَا خَيْرٌ مِّنْهُ خَلَقْتَنِي مِن نَّارٍ وَخَلَقْتَهُ مِن طِينٍ
“Iblīs said: “I am better than him (Ādam), You created me from fire, and him You created from clay.””
(Al-Aʿrāf, 7:12)
And in His saying:
قَالَ لَمْ أَكُن لِّأَسْجُدَ لِبَشَرٍ خ…
There once lived a beautiful married woman in the city of Makkah. One day, while looking at the reflection of her face in the mirror, she said to her husband: Do you know anyone who could possibly see this face of mine and not be tempted?
He replied: Yes.
She asked: Who?
He said: ʿUbayd b. ‘Umayr.1
She replied: Then grant me permission, for indeed I will cause him temptation!
He replied: I grant you permission.
She then made her way to Masjid al-Ḥaram and approached him as a questioner in need of a verdict. They then isolated themselves in one of the corners of Masjid al-Ḥaram. She then…
Imām Ibn Rajab (d. 795 AH) said:
If Allāh guides one of His servants to thank Him for the bounties He has chosen to bestow on him in this worldly life by means of his saying: الحمد لله (all praise be to Allāh), or by some other means of showing gratefulness to Him, then [the gratitude he has shown] will be considered superior to the bounty for which he is showing gratefulness. This gratitude is more beloved to Allāh as He loves those who praise Him. He is pleased with His slave who eats a meal and finishes it by praising Him. Or drinks a beverage and praises Him for it. For the commemoration…
Shaykh Muḥammad ibn Ṣāliḥ al-ʿUthaymīn (d. 1421 AH) said:
The semen of the sons of Ādam is considered pure. ‘Semen’ refers to the thick fluid that is excreted from a male in response to sexual arousal. Allāh—the Most High—has described it in His saying:
أَلَمْ نَخْلُقكُّم مِّن مَّاءٍ مَّهِينٍ
“Did We not create you from worthless water (semen, etc.)?”
(al-Mursalāt, 77: 20)
This water or fluid (i.e. semen) is thick to where it does not flow easily as opposed to water that does flow and move which would not be considered worthless [due to its use in washing and drinking]. This [thick] fluid wa…
Imām Muḥammad ibn Ṣāliḥ al-ʿUthaymīn (d. 1421 AH) said:
The Opinion of the Ḥanbalī Madh`hab
According to the Ḥanabalī madh`hab, a small quantity of blood1 may be overlooked should it drop on a material. The exception to this is if that blood, even a small amount, is to drop onto a solid or liquid substance meant for consumption. Liquid is anything that flows easily like water, milk, or gravy. Examples of solid substances meant for consumption are bread and its likeness. Other than these two classes, a small quantity of blood may be overlooked. So, if a small amount of blood should fall on, fo…
[Q]: My son currently resides with his mother who throws him a birthday party annually. This consists of food and [cake with] candles whose number matches his age where each candle represents a year. The child blows them out and the party begins. What is the ruling of this from a legislative standpoint?
[A]: It is impermissible to throw a birthday party for anyone. As it has been confirmed that the Messenger (صلى الله عليه وسلم) said: “Whoever innovates in this affair [religion] that which is not from it shall have it rejected.”1 Also, it represents a means of imitating the disbelievers in t…
