Talk @ Kassim Mosque

Forum Muqaddimah Series

 

All Dogs Go To Heaven

Q: Assalamualaikum Ustaz,

Was wondering if you could help me with this question, do I have to do anything if while walking my leg graced the bag (or something cage-like) that is used to put a dog ?

A: Waalaikumussalam wr wb,

Thanks for asking. I believe you are asking whether you would need to perform the special cleansing as entioned in the following hadith:

“Purifying a container that a dog licks is done by washing it seven times, the first time with pure soil (that is, water mixed with earth until it becomes muddy).”

Different schools of thought have varied opinions on this issue. So let’s take a brief look at what they are:

The First View: The first view is that of the Maliki scholars, who hold that a dog is pure even its saliva.     

The Second View: The second view is attributed to the Shafi`i school and one of two narrations from Imam Ahmad Ibn Hanbal. They are of the opinion that a dog is impure even its fur. 

The Third View: The third view is ascribed to the Hanafi school and the other narration from Imam Ahmad. They maintain that a dog’s saliva is impure while its fur is pure.

So, after reading the views of our past great scholars, you can use them as a guiding principle to decide. I believe that at the end of the day, it depends on how confident and how sure you are that the ‘cage’ was actually used for a dog, or whether or not the exterior part of that cage was ever licked by a dog etc. 

Most Muslims prefer to take the safer option and so they will cleanse the part of their body / clothing which made contact with the impure (najis) affected area. Hope this helps.

Allah know best

Change of Name

Q: Assalamualaikum Ustaz, is it compulsory for a muallaf to change his name after embracing Islam? One my friends who happens to be a muallaf  is quite hesitant to do so. Is it true that there are many tedious procedures?

A: Wa’alaikumussalam wr wb. Thanks for asking. As a general principle, it is not compulsory for a muallaf to do so. But, it is highly encouraged for those who have embraced Islam to change their names or add a “Muslim name” to their current name. This is because, by having a Muslim name, it helps to make things easier for them and also helps to avoid any complications that might occur in the future.

For example, if a convert were to pass away, and if his name had not been changed, people might not know of the change in his religious status. And that might lead to the deceased going through non-Islamic burial rites.

However, new converts are not to be forced to rush this process. Usually, converts have a very hard time dealing with their family members in the early stages of their conversion. This is normally the case. So only when they have settled down, or have managed to convince and won over the acceptance from their family, that they may want to consider changing their name. Allah knows best.

As for the procedures, I think that in order for a person to change his name, he will need to make a deed poll. Lawyers offer such services. Here’s a link which provides some basic FAQs on this. http://law.com.sg/deed_poll.htm#What_documents_do_I_need_to_change_my_name

Best regards & Salam

Maal Hijrah

 

My talk begins after Isya'

The End

The end of the year is looming near…

And all of us have aged a little more…

As the new year approaches, we’re all having our own fears…

Of the uncertainties, the economy, natural disasters and wars…

What lies ahead us? Oh mirror mirror on the wall?

If only we had, a round, shiny magic crystal ball…

So that it could at least tell us what’s to come…

We’d then be more prepared to drive through the humps…

They say the future is all gloom and doom…

I say let’s wait…let’s not trust speculations…

Two thousand and nine could just be your time to bloom…

So write down today what are your resolutions….

Paste them on your walls and ceilings…

Write in specific terms and wordings…

For they will help to keep you going and going…

They are the fire that keeps your desire burning…

To succeed in all your ambitions and yearnings…

And to all my friends who are reading…

Have a wonderful December holiday… And an awesome year ahead!

Happy 1430Hijrah too!

Warmest regards,

Mizi

3 Spaces Left

Introduction to Islam Course [Saturday Nights – Sunday Mornings]

This course is specially catered for Muslim adults from the ages of 17 and above who wish to learn the basics of Islam or for those who just need a refresher on the fundamentals of the religion.

Course Period: 12 weekly sessions (3 months)

Fee: $100 per month

Language: English

Outline:

1) Tauheed

A Muslim’s creed: Defining the purpose of his presence on earth

Understanding the essence of belief (The 6 Articles of Faith)

2) History

The history of Islam and how it was revealed

Sirah Nabawiyyah (the history and life of the Prophet PBUH)

A study of some of the key figures in Islamic civilization

3) Islamic Resources

The two main sources: Quran & Hadith

Definitions and sciences of the two sources

Other sources used in Islamic jurisprudence

4) Fiqh

The various Schools of Thought (Mazhabs)

The 5 types of rulings in Fiqh

Brief explanation on how rulings are derived from the main sources

5) Akhlaq

Values and principles of a true Muslim

Modelling the Holy Prophet’s (PBUH) divine character

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“Your future depends on what you do today, not tomorrow.” – Quote

Tolerance, Hatred, Empathy

Religious harmony, tolerance in diversity, inter-faith dialogues. It’s been 7 years since 9/11. How has that incident shaped the perception of non-Muslims towards Islam and its people till this very day? Below is an interesting video which I would recommend you to watch. An experiment by the ABC news team in the U.S. You’ll know of the outcome and percentage of those who are against Muslims compared to those who are in support of or have some form of empathy towards the Muslims. There are also those who do prefer not to express themselves openly.  

Probably there’s a lesson to be learned for other Muslim minority communities around the world.

Regards & Salam,

Mizi

Vocal Point Courses (Part 3)

 

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Thank you!

Life, Liberty…

…and the pursuit of happiness.

There are many roads that lead to happiness. Love, wealth, relationships, success, contribution… what is yours?

From Bad to Worse

Citigroup, U.S.’s second largest bank announced yesterday that they will be retrenching 52000 employees worldwide. This is on top of the 23000 job cuts made earlier in the year. Now THAT’s scary…

Watch this:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/americas/7734188.stm

Going from bad to worse? When will it end….? 

Be resilient,

Mizi

Vocal Point Courses (Part 2)

Vocal Point’s Islamic Courses / Kursus Agama Anjuran Vocal Point

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For more information, or if you wish to register, please contact Sazlina at 83882244 / 81504704

 

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The Secret to Riches?

Many modern proponents say that the Law of Attraction has roots in Quantum Physics, though no reputable scientist or publication ever supported the alleged scientific credentials of this theory. According to proponents of this law, thoughts have an energy that attracts like energy. In order to control this energy, proponents state that people must practice four things:

1. Know what you want.
2. Ask the universe for it.
3. Feel and behave as if the object of your desire is on its way.
4. Be open to receiving it.

Thinking of what one does not have, they say, manifests itself in not having, while if one abides by these principles, and avoids “negative” thoughts, the Universe will manifest a person’s desires. – (Wikipedia)

Is it similar to a prayer (du’a)? We know what we want. We always pray for the good things. And in those prayers we will only use and mention positive words. And in awaiting for our prayers to be answered, we’re optimistic and constantly hoping for the best outcome. Hmmm…

Courage

What stops us? Keeps us from doing what we need to do? Prevents us from experiencing the depth of relationships, love and meaning in our lives?

Fear is something we all experience—it’s part of the human condition. The only way to dispel fear is to look it in the face and utilize courage. Courage is not the absence of fear, it’s the triumph over it, revealing to you what you’re truly capable of. Have courage my friends, and let’s give to our loved ones, friends and colleagues with courageous acts of generosity and kindness.

“Without courage, wisdom bears no fruit.” — Baltasar Gracián

Introduction to Islam Course

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Thanks

Warmest regards & Salam,

Mizi