Abdurrahmann Murad

Assalamualaikum, brothers and sisters - I want to share these tips with you - so that your WhatsApp accounts remain safe and secure from hacking.

1. **Enable Two-Step Verification**: This adds an extra layer of security by requiring a PIN in addition to the verification code sent to your phone. To enable it, go to **Settings > Account > Two-Step Verification** and follow the prompts⁴.

2. **Use a Strong PIN**: Avoid simple sequences like 123456 or easily guessable numbers like your birthday. Make sure your PIN is unique and not used for other accounts⁸.

3. **Activate Screen Lock**: Use your phone's biometric security features, such as fingerprint or face ID, to lock WhatsApp. This prevents unauthorized access if someone gets hold of your phone⁴.

4. **Check for Unauthorized WhatsApp Web Sessions**: Regularly check if there are any active WhatsApp Web sessions that you don't recognize. You can do this by going to **Settings > Linked Devices**⁴.

5. **Be Wary of Phishing Attempts**: Don't click on suspicious links or share your verification code with anyone. Hackers often use social engineering tactics to trick you into giving them access⁵.

6. **Keep Your App Updated**: Ensure that you are using the latest version of WhatsApp, as updates often include security patches that protect against new vulnerabilities⁶.

7. **Monitor Privacy Settings**: Adjust your privacy settings to control who can see your personal information and add you to groups. Go to **Settings > Account > Privacy** to make these changes⁴.

By following these steps, you can significantly enhance the security of your WhatsApp account and protect it from potential hacking attempts.

May Allah protect you all. Ameen

Assalamu Alaikum,

On the occasion of Eid al-Fitr, I pray that Allah elevates you in both worlds and blesses you with Khair. Ameen.
May Allah accept your fasting, prayers, and righteous deeds during this noble month. Ameen
May Allah make you among those who are constantly mindful of Him. Ameen
May He grant us and you goodness, prosperity, and blessings. Ameen

Eid Mubarak!

Your brother in Islam,
Abdurrahmann Murad

Assalamu Alaikum,

بارك الله فيكم جميعا
May Allah accept all of our good deeds and grant us Khair in this Dunya and in the Akhirah. Ameen

I’ve received a few messages via email, Facebook and Whatsapp that explicitly outline the ‘prohibition’ of fasting Arafah if it falls on a Friday.
The message I received was interestingly worded - and after it quoted a few Hadeeth, made it appear as if it was unlawful for one to fast on the Friday, even if Arafah fell on it! Inshallah, I will discuss this issue in some detail and afterwards give a quick summary.

*The Hadeeth Regarding Fasting on a Friday*:

*First Hadeeth*:
عن أبي هريرة رضي الله عنه قال: سَمِعْتُ النَّبِيَّ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ يَقُولُ: «لَا يَصُومُ أَحَدُكُمْ يَوْمَ الجُمُعَةِ، إِلَّا يَوْمًا قَبْلَهُ أَوْ بَعْدَهُ»
Meaning: Abu Hurairah, may Allah be pleased with him, said: “I heard the Prophet, may Allah praise him, saying: “No one should fast on the day of Jumuah, except if they fast a day before or a day after.” (Agreed Upon)

*Second Hadeeth*:
عن أبي هريرة رضي الله عنه عن النَّبِيِّ صلَّى الله عليه وسلَّم قَالَ: «لَا تَخْتَصُّوا لَيْلَةَ الْجُمُعَةِ بِقِيَامٍ مِنْ بَيْنِ اللَّيَالِي، وَلَا تَخُصُّوا يَوْمَ الْجُمُعَةِ بِصِيَامٍ مِنْ بَيْنِ الْأَيَّامِ، إِلَّا أَنْ يَكُونَ فِي صَوْمٍ يَصُومُهُ أَحَدُكُمْ»
Meaning: Abu Hurairah, may Allah be pleased with him, said that the Prophet, may Allah praise him, said: “Do not specify the night preceding the day of Jumuah with a Qiyam (night prayer), that is unlike Qiyam performed on other nights. Do not single out the Day of Jumuah with a fast, except if it is part of days that one fasts.” (Saheeh Muslim)

Third Hadeeth:
عن محمَّد بنِ عبَّاد بنِ جعفرٍ قال: سَأَلْتُ جَابِرًا رضي الله عنه: «نَهَى النَّبِيُّ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ عَنْ صَوْمِ يَوْمِ الجُمُعَةِ؟» قَالَ: «نَعَمْ»
Meaning: Muhammad bin Abbad bin Ja’far said I asked Jabir, may Allah be pleased with him: “Did the Prophet, may Allah praise him, forbid one from fasting the day of Jumuah?” He said: “Yes!” (Bukhari)

Fourth Hadeeth:
عن جُوَيْرِيَةَ بنتِ الحارث رضي الله عنهما أَنَّ النَّبِيَّ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ دَخَلَ عَلَيْهَا يَوْمَ الجُمُعَةِ وَهِيَ صَائِمَةٌ فَقَالَ: «أَصُمْتِ أَمْسِ؟»، قَالَتْ: «لَا»، قَالَ: «تُرِيدِينَ أَنْ تَصُومِي غَدًا؟» قَالَتْ: «لَا»، قَالَ: «فَأَفْطِرِي»
Meaning: Juwairiyah daughter of al-Harith, may Allah be pleased with them both, reported that the Prophet, may Allah praise him, saw her on the day of Jumuah and she was fasting. He, may Allah praise him, said to her: “Have you fasted yesterday?” She said: “No”, He then asked her: “Do you intend on fasting tomorrow?” She said: “No”. The Prophet, may Allah praise him, then said: “Break your fast.” (Bukhari)

Fifth Hadeeth:
عن أبي هريرة رضي الله عنه قال: سَمِعْتُ رَسُولَ اللهِ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ يَقُولُ: «إِنَّ يَوْمَ الْجُمُعَةِ يَوْمُ عِيدٍ؛ فَلَا تَجْعَلُوا يَوْمَ عِيدِكُمْ يَوْمَ صِيَامِكُمْ، إِلَّا أَنْ تَصُومُوا قَبْلَهُ أَوْ بَعْدَهُ»
Meaning: Abu Hurairah, may Allah be pleased with him, said that he heard the Messenger of Allah, may Allah praise him, saying: “Indeed the day of Jumuah is a day of Eid! Do not make your Day of Eid similar to your day of fasting – unless you are fasting a day before it, or a day after it.” (Ahmed).

Important Point:

From these narrations – two things stand out:
A. The first is in relation to the prohibition given by the Prophet, may Allah praise him. Is this an absolute prohibition, or is it a prohibition that is synonymous to this matter being disliked?

B. The second is in relation to the intention and the meaning of singling out the day of Jumuah – does singling it out with fasting refer to fasting it with the intent of fasting Jumuah because it is a blessed day? Or is there more leeway when another occasion (i.e. like the day of Arafah) happens to fall on the day of Jumuah?

Type of Prohibition in the Ahadeeth:

Let’s focus on the type of prohibition – in light of this issue, the scholars have differed.

The first viewpoint, which is held by the Dhahiri Scholars, states that it is unlawful for one to specify the day of Jumuah with a fast, but it is lawful for one to fast it if they are going to fast a day before or a day after it. (Al-Muhalla 7/20)
The Dhahiri scholars take by the ‘face value’ of the Hadeeth, and that is why they have concluded it is Haram to single out the Friday with fasting. They don’t view the prohibition here to have been lessened in any capacity.

The second viewpoint, states that it is Makrooh (disliked) for one to specify the day of Jumuah with fasting, and the prohibition mentioned in the Hadeeth is a prohibition of Tanzeeh (i.e., a prohibition that outlines what is disliked). If a person fasts a day before or a day after, the Karaahah (i.e. dislike) would not be applicable.
This is held by the majority of scholars:
1. Imam Abu Yusuf [Al-Mughni 3/165]
2. The Shafi’ee scholars, in the Shafi'ee Madth'hab there are two positions, the first in line with this view and the second as is mentioned by Imam al-Muzani that it is disliked for one to fast on the Friday if fasting during it will weaken one from performing the Ibadah they must perform during the day of Jumuah [Al-Majmoo' 6/437]
3. It is also the view held within the Hanbali Madth’hab [Al-Mughni 3/165])

They stated that although the Hadeeth may appear to prohibit fasting on the day of Jumuah, the narrations also indicate that the restrictive nature of the Hadeeth has been lessened; the fact that the Prophet, may Allah praise him, allowed one to fast the day of Jumuah with a day before or after it, is indicative of this, according to some scholars.
It becomes clearer when we compare this prohibition to the prohibition of fasting on the Day of Eid, which has no leeway whatsoever – simply put it is unlawful for one to fast during the day of Eid, even if it falls on the day of Jumuah.

The third viewpoint, which is held by Imam Abu Hanifah [Bada'i as-Sana'i 2/119], Imam Muhammad bin al-Hasan [Bada'i as-Sana'i 2/119], and the viewpoint of Imam Malik and a few of the Maliki scholars [Bidayatul-Mujtahid 1/310], states that it is lawful for one to fast on the Jumuah, and there is no prohibition or dislike in this regard.
The Hanafi and Maliki scholars used the following Hadeeth to indicate the lawfulness of fasting the day of Jumuah:
عن أبي سعيدٍ الخُدْرِيِّ رضي الله عنه مرفوعًا: «خَمْسٌ مَنْ عَمِلَهُنَّ فِي يَوْمٍ كَتَبَهُ اللهُ مِنْ أَهْلِ الجَنَّةِ: مَنْ عَادَ مَرِيضًا، وَشَهِدَ جنَازَةً، وَصَامَ يَوْمًا، وَرَاحَ يَوْمَ الجُمُعَةِ، وَأَعْتَقَ رَقَبَةً
Meaning: Abu Sa’eed al-Khudri, may Allah be pleased with him, said: “Five things if one does them in a day, Allah would make them from the people of Jannah. Whoever visits a sick, follows a Jinazah, fasts during that day, and performs the Jumuah and frees a slave.” (Silsilah as-Saheehah 3/21)

Also, the following hadeeth in the collection of Ibn Abi Shaibah:
مَا رَأَيْتُ رَسُولَ اللهِ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ مُفْطِرًا يَوْمَ جُمُعَةٍ قَطُّ
Meaning: Ibn Umar, may Allah be pleased with them both, said: “I never saw the Prophet, may Allah praise him, eating on the day of Jumuah.”

Regarding the Third View Point:

The scholars who held the other opinions examined these narrations and stated that there is no clear evidence in them, as the person fasting the day of Jumuah would have fasted a day before it or after it.
Likewise in relation to the hadeeth of Ibn Umar, may Allah be pleased with them both, it would appear that he witnessed the Prophet fasting, as he usually did. In any case, the day of Jumuah was not singled out.

The Importance of the Intention:

In relation to the second issue, which talks about the reason the prohibition is present regarding fasting on the day of Jumuah, the Hadeeth are clear that the prohibition is specific to someone who fasts the day of Jumuah believing that it is something beloved to Allah, but if a person fasts on the day of Jumuah without this intention or thought, the prohibition would not be applicable.
Similarly, Imam Ibn Qudamah, may Allah have mercy on him, stated:
يُكْرَهُ إفْرَادُ يَوْمِ الْجُمُعَةِ بِالصَّوْمِ , إلا أَنْ يُوَافِقَ ذَلِكَ صَوْمًا كَانَ يَصُومُهُ , مِثْلُ مَنْ يَصُومُ يَوْمًا وَيُفْطِرُ يَوْمًا فَيُوَافِقُ صَوْمُهُ يَوْمَ الْجُمُعَةِ , وَمَنْ عَادَتُهُ صَوْمُ أَوَّلِ يَوْمٍ مِنْ الشَّهْرِ , أَوْ آخِرِهِ , أَوْ يَوْمِ نِصْفِهِ .
Meaning: It is disliked for one to fast on the day of Jumuah, except when the Friday falls on a day that a person usually fasts, such as a person who fasts a day and skips a day; if the day he is going to fast falls on the day of Jumuah (i.e. this would entail that he would not fast on the Thursday or the Saturday), similarly if a person has a habit to fast the first day of each month or the last day of each month or a day in the middle of the month. (Mughni 3/53)

Shaykh Ibn Baz, may Allah have mercy on him, said the following when he was asked about fasting on a Friday if the day of Arafah happened to be on that day:
نرجو أن لا إثم عليك؛ لأنك ما قصدت صومه مفردًا، وإنما صمتيه لأجل أنه يوم عرفة فقط، ولكن لو صمت معه الخميس يكون أحوط
Meaning: We hope that there is no sin upon you – as you did not intend to single this day out with a fast (i.e., for the sake of it being the day of Jumuah). You only fasted on this day because it was the day of Arafah, but if you were to fast the Thursday with it, it would be safer.

Summary:

In summary, a person may fast on the day of Jumuah if they are fasting it for the sake of Arafah, and they are not required to fast a day before it.
But if one adds a day before it, Alhamdulilah – these days are all blessed. Thursday is also an auspicious day, as the Prophet may Allah praise him, fasted during Thursday and said:
أنَّ النَّبيَّ صلَّى اللهُ عليه وسلَّم كان يصومُ الاثنينَ والخميسَ ويقولُ إنَّه اليومُ الَّذي تُعرضُ فيه أعمالُ العبادِ على اللهِ فأحبُّ أنْ يُعرضَ عملي وأنا صائمٌ
Meaning: Umar, may Allah be pleased with him, said that the Prophet, may Allah praise him, would fast on the Monday and Thursday, and he would say, “During these days one’s deeds would be displayed before Allah, and I love that my deeds be displayed before Him while I am fasting.” (Saheeh – Musnad Umar)

Today's Khutbah:

https://www.facebook.com/100008166700564/videos/2663279593954238/

Subhanallah - heartbreaking images from Fort McMurray, Alberta from the past two days...may Allah make it easy for all those who have been affected. Ameen
This happens when the Clearwater river begins to flow into the Athabasca River, and the Athabasca ice-pack has not broken up yet. Environmentalists have stated that this is actually the worst flood that this region has experienced in 100 years.
Due to the flood, more than 12,000 people have been forced to flee their homes. Allahul-Musta'an.

Ramadan Mubarak! May Allah accept from us all. Ameen
As you are all aware, Ramadan will start this Friday...Alhamdulilah.

Assalamu Alaikum, brothers/sisters - the cancellation of Jumuah and the Jama'ah in our Masa’jid is an issue we are all coping with...as the Jumuah may be cancelled for a few weeks to come...the question has been asked...can we pray in our homes, with our families?

In accordance to the view held within the Hanafi Madth’hab and the Hanbali Madth’hab - one can perform the Jumuah with two individuals aside from the Imam.
The Dhahiri Madth’hab indicates that only two are required - the Khateeb and one who listens to him.

Imam An-Nawawi, may Allah have mercy on him, said;
فإذا صلى رجل برجل أو بامرأة أو أمته أو بنته أو غيرهم أو بغلامه أو بسيدته أو بغيرهم حصلت لهما فضيلة الجماعة التي هي خمس أو سبع وعشرون ، وهذا لا خلاف فيه، ونقل الشيخ أبو حامد وغيره فيه الإجماع
Summarized translation: “When a person prays with another or a man leads his wife, or his daughter or others, they would have achieved the reward of Jama’ah…there is Ijmaa’ [scholarly consensus] in this matter.”

The other issue is, ‘Can Jumuah be performed outside the Masjid?’ In short, it is not a requirement.

So, if you have the numbers in your own home - *I don’t mean that you invite your neighbours into your homes* - rather, if you have within your household a few who can pray, then you can perform the Jumuah in your home. Mind you, this is not an area of agreement among scholars.

Lastly, this is not an issue of ‘you must pray - jumuah' rather, it is an issue of ‘*do I have the option of praying Jumuah*’?

In light of this, I want to share the post of Dr. Al-Mohammadi, one of the Shaykhs who visited Canada in the past...he said:
'it is appropriate for one to pray Jumuah in their home when a calamity befalls them. The Hanbali and Dhahiri scholars view that Jumuah prayer is valid with what the Jama'ah prayer is valid with.
This is a chance for you to spend memorable quality time with your family performing an Ibadah - so do not lose out on this opportunity!

Assalamu Alaikum,

Some have asked about holding a ‘virtual jumuah’, whereby the imam would lead the jumuah from his home, and others would follow him in 'real time' through an online medium such as Skype or Zoom.

Although this may sound plausible, it is not a correct way to lead the Jumuah - as the Jumuah requires a physical congregation, with connected rows. When no one is congregating physically, the Jumuah cannot be held.
Although one may argue that we are ‘virtually connected’, in reality there is no gathering.

The Imams of the Four Ma’dha’hib indicate that in order for a congregation - which is required for jumuah - to be correct, it must be physical…if a person is distant following in ‘real time’, there is no connection between him and the the Imam and other Musallis.

So, in the end if a person cannot pray jumuah, they can pray dhuhr, as the rule states:
اذا تعذر الاصل يصار الى البدل
Meaning: When a default action [i.e. an act of worship] cannot be performed, its replacement would be performed.

In the Hadeeth Qudsi, it states that Allah, the Exalted, says:
O son of Adam perform four Rakah at the beginning of the day and I will take care of your worries and all things that concern you.

Scholars indicate that these four are the Fard and Sunnah of Fajar - 2 and 2.
Others indicate it to be the Duha prayer.