The Messiah and Yahya (peace be upon them) were maternal cousins

 

Was Maryam (peace be upon her) the only child of her family? If that is true, then how could the Messiah (peace be upon him) and Yahya (peace be upon him) be maternal cousins?.

Praise be to Allaah.

What the historians and
biographers say is that ‘Imraan, the father of Maryam, was married to a
woman who was called Hannah, and Zakariyah (peace be upon him) was married
to a woman called Eeshaa’. ‘Imraan and Hannah produced Maryam (peace be upon
him) and Zakariyah and Eeshaa’ produced Yahya (peace be upon him).  

Then they differed as to
who Eeshaa’ the mother of Yahya (peace be upon him) was. There are two
views. 

 1 –That she was the sister
of Maryam (peace be upon her). This is the view of the majority, as was
stated by Ibn Katheer in al-Bidaayah wa’l-Nihaayah (1/438) 

Based on that, ‘Eesa and
Yahya (peace be upon them) are maternal cousins in the real sense, because
they are the sons of two sisters (Maryam and Eeshaa’). 

They quoted as evidence the
apparent meaning of the hadeeth of the Mi’raaj (Prophet’s ascent into
heaven) which was narrated from Maalik ibn Sa’sa’ah (may Allaah be pleased
with him), that the Prophet of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be
upon him) told them about the night on which he was taken on the night
journey. Among the things he said was: “Then he went up until he came to the
second heaven, and he asked for it to be opened. It was said: ‘Who is this?’
It was said: ‘Jibreel.’ It was said: ‘Who is with you?’ He said: ‘Muhammad.’
It was said: ‘Has (Revelation) been sent to him?’ He said: ‘Yes.’ It was
said: ‘Welcome to him, what a good person has come.’ And it was opened. When
I entered, I saw Yahya and ‘Eesa – who are maternal cousins. He said: This
is Yahya and ‘Eesa, and he greeted them with salaam and I greeted them too,
and they returned the greeting. Then they said: Welcome to the righteous
brother and the righteous Prophet.’” Narrated by al-Bukhaari (3207) and this
version is his; also narrated by Muslim (164). 

2 – That Eeshaa’ was the
sister of Maryam’s mother Hannah, so Eeshaa’ was the maternal aunt of Maryam
(peace be upon her). This is what was mentioned by Ibn Ishaaq and Ibn
Jareer. Jaami’ al-Bayaan (3/234). This was the only view mentioned by
al-Haafiz ibn Harar in Fath al-Baari (6/68). 

Based on this view, how
could ‘Eesa and Yahya (peace be upon them) be maternal cousins? 

They said:  Because the
mother’s maternal aunt is like a real maternal aunt, so the mother of Yahya
was the maternal aunt of Maryam and she was also the maternal aunt of
Maryam’s son ‘Eesa (peace be upon them all). Just as Maryam was the maternal
cousin of Yahya, so her son ‘Eesa was also his maternal cousin. 

Imam Abu’l-Sa’ood said in
his Tafseer (2/27): 

As for the words of the
Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) about Yahya and
‘Eesa (peace and blessing be upon them), “maternal cousins”, it was said
that the meaning of this is that the word sister was often used to refer to
the daughter of the sister, thus the Prophet (peace and blessings of
Allaah be upon him) regarded them as maternal cousins. End quote. 

Their evidence for that is
that it is well known that the wife of ‘Imraan, Hannah, had not become
pregnant and had not given birth. When she became pregnant with Maryam by
Allaah’s Leave, she vowed to dedicate the child to Allaah and to service in
the sacred House (Bayt al-Maqdis, i.e., the Temple in Jerusalem). This is
what is supported by the Qur’aanic passage. 

Allaah says (interpretation
of the meaning): 

“(Remember) when the
wife of ‘Imraan said: ‘O my Lord! I have vowed to You what (the child that)
is in my womb to be dedicated for Your services (free from all worldly work;
to serve Your place of worship), so accept this from me. Verily, You are the
All-Hearer, the All-Knowing’”

[Aal ‘Imraan 3:35] 

Ibn Katheer (may Allaah
have mercy on him) said in Tafseer al-Qur’aan al-‘Azeem (1/478): 

Muhammad ibn Ishaaq said:
She (i.e., the wife of ‘Imraan) was a woman who did not get pregnant, but
one day she saw a bird feeding its chicks and she longed for a child, so she
prayed to Allaah to bless her with a child, and Allaah answered her prayer.
Her husband had intercourse with her and she became pregnant. When she
realized that she was pregnant, she vowed that the child would be dedicated
to worship and service of the sacred House, and she said: “O my Lord! I
have vowed to You what (the child that) is in my womb to be dedicated for
Your services (free from all worldly work; to serve Your place of worship),
so accept this from me. Verily, You are the All-Hearer, the All-Knowing”
i.e., the One Who hears my du’aa’ and knows my intention. End quote. 

And Allaah knows best.

 

How many years were there between Adam and Muhammad (peace be upon them both)?

 

How long was the period of time between the creation of Adam (peace be upon him) and the creation of Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him)?

Praise be to Allaah.
 

 

There is nothing in Islam that defines the period between
Adam and Muhammad (peace be upon them both); indeed the length of time that
Adam (peace be upon him) lived is not known. 

But there are some ahaadeeth and reports which, if we put
them together, we can arriver at an approximate length of time, but that not
cover the complete period. Some of these ahaadeeth and reports are saheeh
(sound) and others are subject to differences of scholarly opinion, and some
periods of time are not defined precisely in any reports. Among the saheeh
reports concerning that are the following: 

1 – Allaah says concerning the length of time that Nooh
(peace be upon him) remained calling his people: 

“and he stayed among them a thousand years less fifty
years”

[al-‘Ankaboot 29:14] 

2 – The period between ‘Eesa and our Prophet (peace be upon
them both): al-Bukhaari narrated that Salmaan al-Faarisi said: “The period
between ‘Eesa and our Prophet (peace be upon them both) was six hundred
years.” There are also other reports whose soundness is debatable, which
mention the following:  

3 – The period between Adam and Nooh (peace be upon them
both): it was narrated from Abu Umaamah that a man said: “O Messenger of
Allaah, was Adam a Prophet?” He said, “Yes, and Allaah spoke to him.” The
man asked, “How much (time) was there between him and Nooh?” He said, “Ten
centuries.” Narrated by Ibn Hibbaan in his Saheeh, 14/69; and by
al-Haakim, 2/262. He said it is saheeh according to the conditions of
Muslim, and al-Dhahabi agreed with him. Ibn Katheer said in al-Bidaayah
wa’l-Nihaayah (1/94): this is (saheeh) according to the conditions of
Muslim, even though he did not narrate it. 

4 – The period between Nooh and Ibraaheem (peace be upon them
both): our evidence is in the continuation of the hadeeth of Abu Umaamah
(may Allaah be pleased with him) quoted above: … He said, “And how long was
there between Nooh and Ibraaheem?” He said, “Ten centuries.” (Narrated by
al-Haakim in al-Mustadrak, 2/288. He said: this hadeeth is saheeh
according to the conditions of Muslim, although he did not narrate it. And
it was narrated by al-Tabaraani in al-Mu’jam al-Kabeer, 8/118. 

It was reported that some of the narrators of this hadeeth
were da’eef (weak), but al-Albaani classed it as saheeh on the
basis of corroborating reports. 

Some of the reports that were narrated include the
following: 

5. The period between Moosa and ‘Eesa (peace be upon them
both). Al-Qurtubi said: there was some difference of opinion as to the
length of this period. Muhammad ibn Sa’d mentioned in his book
al-Tabaqaat that Ibn ‘Abbaas said: “between Moosa ibn ‘Imraan and ‘Eesa
ibn Maryam (peace be upon them both) there were one thousand and seven
hundred years, and there was no fatrah (interval when no Prophet was sent)
between them, for one thousand Prophets of the Children of Israel were sent
between them, apart from other Prophets who were also sent (to other
nations). And between the birth of ‘Eesa and the Prophet (peace and
blessings of Allaah be upon him) there were five hundred and ninety-nine
years.” (Tafseer al-Qurtubi, 6/121). Ibn Hajar said: “The narrators
are agreed that the period of the Jews until the coming of the Prophet
(peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) was more than two thousand
years, and the period of the Christians until the coming of the Prophet
(peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) was six hundred years.” (Fath
al-Baari, 4/449) 

By looking at the verse, ahaadeeth, reports and opinions
quoted above, if they are correct then we may use them to work out the
period in question. 

But as for being certain of the length of time between Adam
and Muhammad (peace be upon them both), then in addition to the above there
are many other considerations to be addressed before we can work it out,
including the following: 

·       
Differences of scholarly
opinion concerning the definition of the word qarn (translated above
as “century”) – does it mean one hundred years, or does it mean one
generation? What we know is that the lifespan of the people at that time was
a fraction of the time that Nooh spent in calling his people, and we do not
know how long the people of those generations lived.

·       
There is no report which
defines the number of years between Ibraaheem and Moosa (peace be upon them
both).

 It remains to be said that being certain about such matters
or researching them are not things on which we base our acts of worship or
our actions, and the words of Allaah are sufficient for
us:                                                                                  

“And (also) ‘Aad and Thamood, and the Dwellers of Ar-Rass,
and many generations in between”

[al-Furqaan 25:38 – interpretation of the meaning]

 We must strive to follow the example of these Prophets and
walk in their footsteps, because this is the purpose behind mentioning them
and their lives:

 “They are those whom Allaah had
guided. So follow their guidance”

[al-An’aam 6:90]

 And Allaah knows best.

Man was created tall then he kept getting shorter until now

 

Was man short at the time of Adam (peace be upon him) then he gradually grew taller, or was it the other way round? May Allaah reward you with good.

Praise be to Allaah.
 

 

Allaah created Adam (peace be upon him) sixty cubits tall,
then mankind gradually grew shorter until they stopped and remained as they
are now. The evidence for that in the Sunnah is the hadeeth of the Prophet
(peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him): “Allaah created Adam sixty
cubits tall, then mankind kept getting shorter until now.” (Narrated by
al-Bukhaari, 3326; Muslim, 2841). Ibn Abi Haatim narrated with a hasan
isnaad from Ubayy ibn Ka’b that the Prophet (peace and blessings of
Allaah be upon him) said: “Allaah created Adam a tall man with a lot of hair
on his head, as if he were a tall palm tree.”

 Al-Haafiz ibn Hajar (may Allaah have mercy on him) said in
Fath al-Baari:

 “ ‘Mankind kept getting shorter until now’ means that each
generation grew shorter than the generation before, and that decrease in
height ended with this ummah, and that is how they stayed.”

 And Allaah knows best. May Allaah send blessings and peace
upon our Prophet Muhammad.

 

The reason why mankind was created

 

Why was mankind created?.

Praise be to Allaah.

Firstly: 

One of the greatest
attributes of Allaah is wisdom, and one of His greatest names is al-Hakeem
(the most Wise). It should be noted that He has not created anything in
vain; exalted be Allaah far above such a thing. Rather He creates things for
great and wise reasons, and for sublime purposes. Those who know them know
them and those who do not know them do not know them. Allaah has stated that
in His Holy Book, where He says that He has not created mankind in vain, and
He has not created the heavens and the earth in vain. Allaah says
(interpretation of the meaning): 

“Did you think that We had created you in play (without
any purpose), and that you would not be brought back to Us?”

116. So Exalted be
Allaah, the True King: Laa ilaaha illa Huwa (none has the right to be
worshipped but He), the Lord of the Supreme Throne!”

[al-Mu’minoon 23:115, 116] 

“We created not the heavens and the earth and all that is
between them for a (mere) play”

[al-Anbiya’ 21:16] 

“And We created not the heavens and the earth, and all
that is between them, for mere play.

39. We created them not except with truth (i.e. to examine
and test those who are obedient and those who are disobedient and then
reward the obedient ones and punish the disobedient ones), but most of them
know not”

[al-Dukhaan 44:38] 

“Haa‑Meem.

[These letters are one of the miracles of the Qur’aan, and
none but Allaah (Alone) knows their meanings.]

2. The revelation of the Book (this Qur’aan) is from
Allaah, the All‑Mighty, the All‑Wise.

3. We created not the heavens and the earth and all that
is between them except with truth, and for an appointed term. But those who
disbelieve, turn away from that whereof they are warned”

[al-Ahqaaf 46:1-3] 

Just as it is proven that there is wisdom behind the creation
of man from the standpoint of sharee’ah, it is also proven from the
standpoint of reason. The wise man cannot but accept that things have been
created for a reason, and the wise man regards himself as being above doing
things in his own life for no reason, so how about Allaah, the Wisest of the
wise? 

Hence the wise believers affirm that there is wisdom in
Allaah’s creation, and the kuffaar deny that. Allaah says (interpretation of
the meaning): 

“Verily, in the creation of the heavens and the earth, and
in the alternation of night and day, there are indeed signs for men of
understanding.

191. Those who remember Allaah (always, and in prayers)
standing, sitting, and lying down on their sides, and think deeply about the
creation of the heavens and the earth, (saying): Our Lord! You have not
created (all) this without purpose, glory to You! (Exalted are You above all
that they associate with You as partners). Give us salvation from the
torment of the Fire”

[Aal ‘Imraan 3:190, 191] 

And Allaah says, describing the attitude of the kuffaar
towards the wisdom of His creation (interpretation of the meaning): 

“And We created not the heaven and the earth and all that
is between them without purpose! That is the consideration of those who
disbelieve! Then woe to those who disbelieve (in Islamic Monotheism) from
the Fire!”

[Saad 38:27] 

Shaykh ‘Abd al-Rahmaan al-Sa’di (may Allaah have mercy on
him) said: 

Allaah tells us of His perfect wisdom in creating the heavens
and the earth, and that He has not created them in vain, i.e., in play with
no beneficial purpose. 

“That is the consideration of those who disbelieve” in
their Lord, because they think that which does not befit His Majesty. 

“Then woe to those who disbelieve (in Islamic Monotheism)
from the Fire!” Allaah created the heavens and earth in truth for truth.
He created them so that His slaves might understand the completeness of His
knowledge and power and the extent of His might, and that He alone is the
One to be worshipped, and not those who have not created even an atom in the
heavens or on earth. And that they might know that the Resurrection is true
and that Allaah will judge between the people of good and evil. The one who
is ignorant of the wisdom of Allaah should not think that Allaah will treat
them equally when judging them. Hence Allaah says (interpretation of the
meaning): 

“Shall We treat those who believe (in the Oneness of
Allaah
Islamic Monotheism) and do righteous good deeds as Mufsidoon (those who
associate partners in worship with Allaah and commit crimes) on earth? Or
shall We treat the Muttaqoon (the pious) as the Fujjaar (criminals,
disbelievers, the wicked)?”

[Saad 38:28] 

This does not befit Our wisdom and Our judgement. End quote. 

Tafseer al-Sa’di, p. 712 

Secondly: 

Allaah has not created
man to eat, drink and multiply, in which case he would be like the animals.
Allaah has honoured man and favoured him far above many of those whom He has
created, but many people insist on kufr, so they are ignorant of or deny the
true wisdom behind their creation, and all they care about is enjoying the
pleasures of this world. The life of such people is like that of animals,
and indeed they are even more astray. Allaah says (interpretation of the
meaning): 

“while those who disbelieve enjoy themselves and eat as
cattle eat; and the Fire will be their abode”

[Muhammad 47:12]

 “Leave them to eat and enjoy, and let them be preoccupied
with (false) hope. They will come to know!”

[al-Hijr 15:3] 

“And surely, We have created many of the jinn and mankind
for Hell. They have hearts wherewith they understand not, and they have eyes
wherewith they see not, and they have ears wherewith they hear not (the
truth). They are like cattle, nay even more astray; those! They are the
heedless ones”

[al-A’raaf 7:179] 

It is well known to wise people that the one who does a thing
knows more about the wisdom behind it than anyone else and for Allaah is the
highest description (cf. al-Nahl 16:60); He is the One Who has created
mankind and He knows best the wisdom behind the creation of mankind. No one
would dispute this with regard to worldly matters. All people are certain
that their physical faculties have been created for a reason. The eye is for
seeing, the ear is for hearing, and so on. Does it make sense for his
physical faculties to have been created for a reason but for himself to have
been created in vain? Or does he not agree to respond to the One Who created
him when He tells him of the reason behind his creation? 

Allaah has told us that the creation of the heavens and the
earth, and of life and death, is for the purpose of testing, so as to test
man. Whoever obeys Him, He will reward him, and whoever disobeys Him, He
will punish him. Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning): 

“And He it is Who has
created the heavens and the earth in six Days and His Throne was on the
water, that He might try you, which of you is the best in deeds. But if you
were to say to them: “You shall indeed be raised up after death,” those who
disbelieve would be sure to say, “This is nothing but obvious magic”

[Hood 11:7] 

“Who has created death and life that He may test you which
of you is best in deed. And He is the All‑Mighty, the Oft‑Forgiving”

[al-Mulk 67:2] 

From this test results a manifestation of the names and
attributes of Allaah, such as Allaah’s names al-Rahmaan (the Most Gracious),
al-Ghafoor (the Oft Forgiving), al-Hakeem (the Most Wise), al-Tawwaab (the
Accepter of Repentance), al-Raheem (the Most Merciful), and other names of
Allaah. 

One of the greatest reasons for which Allaah has created
mankind – which is one of the greatest tests – is the command to affirm His
Oneness (Tawheed) and to worship Him alone with no partner or associate.
Allaah has stated this reason for the creation of mankind, as He says
(interpretation of the meaning): 

“And I (Allaah) created
not the jinn and mankind except that they should worship Me (Alone)”

[al-Dhaariyaat 51:56] 

Ibn Katheer (may Allaah have mercy on him) said: 

i.e., I have created them so that I may command them to
worship Me, not because I have any need of them. ‘Ali ibn Abi Talhah said,
narrating from Ibn ‘Abbaas: “except that they should worship Me (alone)”
willingly or unwillingly. This is the view favoured by Ibn Jareer. Ibn
Jurayj said: i.e., except that they should know Me. Al-Rabee’ ibn Anas said:
“Except that they should worship Me”, i.e., for the purpose of
worship. End quote. 

Tafseer Ibn Katheer, 4/239 

Shaykh ‘Abd al-Rahmaan al-Sa’di (may Allaah have mercy on
him) said: 

Allaah, may He be
exalted, created mankind to worship Him and to know Him by His names and
attributes, and to enjoin that upon them. Whoever submits to Him and does
what is enjoined upon him will be one of those who are successful, but
whoever turns away from that, they are the losers. He will inevitably gather
them together in the Hereafter where He will reward or punish them for what
He commanded and forbade them to do. Hence Allaah mentions how the
mushrikeen denied the reward or punishment, as He says (interpretation of
the meaning): 

“But if you were to say to them: ‘You shall indeed be
raised up after death,’ those who disbelieve would be sure to say, ‘This is
nothing but obvious magic’”

[Hood 11:7] 

i.e., if you were to
speak to these people and tell them about the Resurrection after death, they
would not believe you, rather they would reject your words vehemently and
deny the message you brought, and they would say, ‘This is nothing but
obvious magic,’ but in fact it is obvious truth. End quote. 

Tafseer al-Sa’di, p. 333 

And Allaah knows best.

 

The pigeons of Makkah and Madeenah

 

Is there anything special about the pigeons of Makkah and Madeenah?

 

Praise
be to Allaah.

There is nothing special
about the pigeons of Makkah or the pigeons of Madeenah, apart from the fact
that they may not be hunted or disturbed so long as they are within the
boundaries of the sanctuary, because of the general meaning of the hadeeth:
“Allaah had made Makkah sacred, and (fighting therein) was not permitted to
anyone before me and will not be permitted to anyone after me. It was only
permitted to me for a brief time on one day. Its shrubs are not to be
uprooted, its trees are not to be cut down, and its game is not to be
disturbed.” (Narrated by al-Bukhaari, 1349). And he SAWS (peace and
blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “Ibraaheem made Makkah a sanctuary,
and I have made Madeenah a sanctuary, whatever is between its two lava
fields [?]; its trees are not to be cut down and its game is not to be
hunted.” (Narrated by Muslim, 1360).

Are the monkeys and pigs that exist nowadays humans who have been transformed?

 

Could you please tell me about monkeys. Are they humans who were turned into monkeys for disobeying Allahs commandments? if so which people were they and what did they do?

Praise be to Allaah.
 

 

Maskh (transformation) refers to the changing of a person’s
exterior appearance. Allaah has told us in more than one place in the
Qur’aan that He transformed some of the Children of Israel into monkeys as a
punishment for their disobedience towards Allaah. Allaah says, addressing
the Children of Israel (interpretation of the meaning): 

“And indeed you knew those amongst you who transgressed in
the matter of the Sabbath (i.e. Saturday). We said to them: ‘Be you monkeys,
despised and rejected.’

So We made this punishment an example to their own and to
succeeding generations and a lesson to those who are Al-Muttaqoon (the
pious)”

[al-Baqarah 2:65-66] 

And Allaah tells us their story in more detail in Soorat al-A’raaf,
where He says (interpretation of the meaning): 

“And ask them (O
Muhammad) about the town that was by the sea; when they transgressed in the
matter of the Sabbath (i.e. Saturday): when their fish came to them openly
on the Sabbath day, and did not come to them on the day they had no Sabbath.
Thus We made a trial of them, for they used to rebel against Allaah’s
Command (disobey Allaah)

 And when a community among them said: ‘Why do you preach
to a people whom Allaah is about to destroy or to punish with a severe
torment?’ (The preachers) said: ‘In order to be free from guilt before your
Lord (Allaah), and perhaps they may fear Allaah.’

So when they forgot the reminders that had been given to
them, We rescued those who forbade evil, but with a severe torment We seized
those who did wrong because they used to rebel against Allaah’s Command
(disobey Allaah).

So when they exceeded the limits of what they were
prohibited, We said to them: ‘Be you monkeys, despised and rejected’”

[al-A’raaf 7:163-166] 

And Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning): 

“Say: ‘O people of the Scripture (Jews and Christians)! Do
you criticize us for no other reason than that we believe in Allaah, and in
(the Revelation) which has been sent down to us and in that which has been
sent down before (us), and that most of you are Faasiqoon [rebellious and
disobedient (to Allaah)]?’

Say (O Muhammad to the people of the Scripture): ‘Shall I
inform you of something worse than that, regarding the recompense from
Allaah: those (Jews) who incurred the Curse of Allaah and His Wrath, and
those of whom (some) He transformed into monkeys and swines, and those who
worshipped Taaghoot (false deities); such are worse in rank (on the Day of
Resurrection in the Hell-fire), and far more astray from the Right Path (in
the life of this world)’”

[al-Maa’idah 5:59-60] 

This transformation was a punishment from Allaah to them for
their doing that which Allaah had forbidden to them. This punishment was not
exclusively for the Children of Israel, rather the Prophet (peace and
blessings of Allaah be upon him) told us that the Hour will not begin until
such transformation happens among this ummah too. He issued this warning to
those who disbelieve in the divine decree (al-qadr), and those who drink
alcohol and listen to singing – we seek refuge with Allaah from that. 

Ibn Maajah (4059) narrated from ‘Abd-Allaah ibn Mas’ood that
the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “Shortly
before the Hour begins, people will be transformed into monkeys and pigs,
swallowed up in the earth, and pelted with stones.” (Saheeh Ibn Maajah,
3280). 

Being swallowed up in the earth means that the earth will
split open and swallow up a person, house or city, just as Allaah caused the
earth to swallow Qaaroon and his household. Allaah says (interpretation of
the meaning); 

“So We caused the earth to swallow him”

[al-Qasas 28:81] 

Pelting with stones is
the same as Allaah did to the people of Loot. Allaah says (interpretation of
the meaning): 

“and rained down on them stones of baked clay”

[al-Hijr 15:74] 

Al-Tirmidhi (2152) narrated that Ibn ‘Umar said: “I heard the
Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) say,
‘Among this ummah those who disbelieve in the divine decree (al-qadr)
will be wallowed up by the earth, transformed into monkeys and pigs or
pelted with stones.” (Saheeh al-Tirmidhi, 1748). 

And al-Tirmidhi (2212) narrated from ‘Imraan ibn Husayn that
the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him)
said: “Among this ummah, people will be transformed into monkeys and pigs,
swallowed up in the earth, and pelted with stones.” A man among the Muslims
said, “O Messenger of Allaah, when will that be?” He said, “When
singing-girls and musical instruments become widespread and wine is drunk.”
(Saheeh al-Tirmidhi, 1802). 

These ahaadeeth indicate
that such transformations will happen in this ummah as a punishment for some
sins. So let the Muslim beware of doing anything that Allaah has forbidden.
Woe be to the one who provokes the anger, wrath and vengeance of Allaah. May
Allaah keep us all safe from the things that incur His punishment. 

But these monkeys and pigs that exist nowadays are not the
people from the earlier nations who were transformed, because Allaah does
not enable those who have been transformed to have offspring, rather He
causes them to die after being transformed, so they have no offspring. 

Muslim (2663) narrated that ‘Abd-Allaah ibn Mas’ood said: “A
man said, ‘O Messenger of Allaah, are the monkeys and pigs those who have
been transformed?’ The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon
him) said: ‘Allaah does not enable those who have been transformed to have
offspring or children. The monkeys and pigs existed before that.’” al-Nawawi
(may Allaah have mercy on him) said: “The Prophet’s words ‘The monkeys and
pigs existed before that’ means that they existed before the Children of
Israel were transformed, which indicates that they are not from among those
who were transformed.” 

And Allaah knows best. May Allaah bless our Prophet Muhammad
and grant him peace.

How should a person fill his spare time?

 

I am suffering from the problem of too much spare time, because of which I have begun to feel very strange. My worship has become noticeably less, not because of anything that is distracting me but because I have become depressed. I am learning to memorize Qur’aan with a teacher but I am still in Juz’ ‘Amma (the 30th juz’). I memorize what is required of me, but I still have too much spare time. In an attempt to rid myself of depression I turn on the TV, but I hate it and I do not really want to watch it, but I sit in front of it for ten hours. Can you believe it – ten hours? And I used to watch it only a little. I don’t know. Please advise me as to how I may kill this spare time.

Praise be to Allaah.
 

 

The blessing of time is one of the greatest blessings that
Allaah can bestow upon His slaves. Allaah even swears by time in some cases,
as He says (interpretation of the meaning): 

“By Al‑‘Asr (the time)”

[al-‘Asr 103:1] 

- because of the importance and blessing of time.  

And the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon
him) said: “Make the most of five things before five others: life before
death, health before sickness, free time before becoming busy, youth before
old age, and wealth before poverty.” See Saheeh al-Jaami’, no. 1077. 

But most people are unaware of the importance of this
blessing and are neglectful of their duties towards it, namely to fill it
with acts of gratitude and obedience towards Allaah. The Prophet (peace
and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “There are two blessings which
many people do not make the most of and thus lose out: good health and free
time.” Narrated by al-Bukhaari, 6412. 

Al-Teebi said: The
Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) likened the Muslim
(who is accountable for his deeds) to a merchant who has capital and seeks
to make a profit whilst also preserving his capital. The way to do that is
to look for the right people to deal with and he himself will be honest and
will try to be smart lest he be cheated. Good health and free time are our
capital, and we should deal with Allaah with faith, striving against the
evil inclinations of our nafs and the enemy of religion i.e., the Shaytaan,
so that we may attain the best in this world and in the Hereafter. This is
similar to what is mentioned in the passage where Allaah says
(interpretation of the meaning): 

“Shall I guide you to
a trade that will save you from a painful torment?”

[al-Saff 61:10] 

We should avoid following the dictates of the nafs and keep
away from the Shaytaan lest we lose both our capital and our profit. 

Fath al-Baari by Ibn Hajar. 

If time is so important,
then the Muslim should not have any free time, for he should be going from
one act of worship and obedience to another. If he cannot spend all his time
going from one act of obedience and worship to another then, he may spend
some of his time in permissible pursuits, in which he should ensure that his
intention is correct, so that he may earn reward thereby, as Mu’aadh (may
Allaah be pleased with him) said: “I get up and I sleep, and I hope for the
same when I sleep as I hope for when I get up.” Narrated by al-Bukhaari,
6923; Muslim, 1854. 

The problem that the sister is suffering from is caused by
several things: 

Firstly: she does not understand the value of time. This is
true of many people, as stated above. Even worse than that, by neglecting
this great blessing, her spare time has become something destructive, and
she regards it as an enemy that she wants to kill, but she does not realize
that she is killing herself.  

Secondly: she feels depressed. There is no doubt that wasting
one's time and one's life causes deep depression in man, because he feels
that he is like an animal that eats so it can sleep, and sleeps so it can
eat. Hence we see many disbelievers ended their life by suicide, after being
afflicted by depression and other incurable diseases – may Allaah keep us
safe and sound from that with which He has tested them. One of the primary
causes of depression is disobedience towards Allaah. Undoubtedly wasting
time watching TV leads a person to commit sin, such as watching and
listening to haraam things, wasting time, and other things caused by this
evil machine. The benefits that the sister gains by joining a halaqah for
memorizing Qur’aan are largely cancelled out, if not erased entirely, by
sitting in front of the TV. Just as good deeds erase bad deeds, bad deeds
cause good deeds to be lost. 

[You can refer to the
Books section of this website; in

Dealing with Worries and Stress you will find more details about the
causes of worry and how to overcome them. In
Dangers Facing the Home
you will find mention of some of the harmful effects of TV.] 

Thirdly:  

She has given up with
regard to time, and she has no determination to fill her time with
beneficial things. 

In order to solve this problem, the sister must strive to
achieve the following: 

1-    
Doing acts of worship such as
reciting dhikr and wird, praying, reading Qur’aan, fasting and thinking
about the signs and blessings of Allaah.

2-    
She should pay special
attention to the Qur’aan, since she says that she memorizes what is required
of her, then she has spare time that she kills by watching TV. Why doesn’t
she use that time to remember Allaah and read Qur’aan, and memorize more so
that she can memorize the whole Qur’aan, before she becomes burdened with
the responsibilities of life. For (reading) each letter is a hasanah, and
each hasanah brings a tenfold reward. And each verse raises one in status
and increases one’s reward, as the Prophet (peace and blessings of
Allaah be upon him) said: “Read and rise (in status), for as you used to
recite in this world, your position (in the Hereafter) will be determined by
the last verse you read.” Narrated by Abu Dawood, 1464; classed as saheeh by
al-Albaani in al-Saheehah, 2240.

3-    
Adopt a cause affecting Muslim
women in the country where you live, such as helping to teach Muslim girls,
undertaking charitable projects, and so on.

4-    
Find good and righteous friends
with whom you can meet and get together.

5-    
Read Islamic books in
particular and useful stories in general.

6-    
Get involved in da’wah, women’s
activities and children’s sports in Islamic centres.

7-    
Listen to tapes and lectures,
and write summaries which you can distribute to those who will benefit from
them.

8-    
Learn some useful areas of
worldly knowledge such as cooking, sewing, etc.

9-    
Learn about computers and
useful programs, for this is a vast area which will take up a lot of time
and can be used to do a lot of good and useful things. This will take you
away from sitting in front of the TV which does not help you in any way, and
does more harm than good.

10-You should read some
books which speak of the importance of time and how to manage it; listen to
some useful lectures on this topic too. 

May Allaah help you and us to do all that is good.