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Session Details
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| Guest Name |
Sheikh Ahmad Kutty
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| Profession |
A Senior Lecturer and an Islamic Scholar at the Islamic Institute of Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
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| Subject |
Hijab in France
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| Date |
Wednesday,Dec 31 ,2003
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Time |
Makkah
From...
16:30...To...
18:00
GMT
From... 13:30...To...15:00
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Host
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| Question |
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| Answer |
In the Name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful.
All praise and thanks are due to Allah, and peace and blessings be upon His Messenger.
Brothers and sisters, the session has already started. You can submit your questions. Please, make your questions short and clear so as to help us answer all your questions.
Yours,
Islam Online Fatwa Editing Desk.
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Ruba
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| Question |
Really, I would like that you issue a fatwa in response to the statement issued by the Grand Sheikh of Al-Azhar in which he declared that ‘If she (the Muslim woman) lives in a non-Muslim country, like France, whose officials want to adopt laws opposed to Hijab, it is their right.’
There is wide controversy regarding the issue and many of the Western media organizations are having Tantawi’s statements as their banner headlines. The question now is: Can the Muslim women succumb to the status quo? Can they take off their Hijab as per the prospective French law?
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In the Name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful.
All praise and thanks are due to Allah, and peace and blessings be upon His Messenger.
I don't know the precise details about the fatwa of Sheikh Tantawi of Al-Azhar; I cannot, therefore, comment on it without knowing the specifics. If, however, he has been reported correctly, then I beg to disagree with it.
Muslims in the West and North America may perhaps be better equipped to formulate opinions about issues facing them as a community than scholars from overseas.
There are a number of points which I think must be clear for anyone dealing with this issue:
Firstly, Hijab is a Qur'anic imperative, as such, it is part of religious requirement in Islam; Muslims cannot compromise on that;
Secondly, the proposed Hijab ban should not be isolated from the wider issue it is part of, namely, the issue of freedom for Muslims to practice their religion in France. To give in to the pressure and accept the status quo is therefore akin to surrendering our rights to practice our religion; Muslims are citizens of France like anyone else; since everyone has freedom to practice his or her religion, Muslims also must have such freedoms.
Thirdly, no one can decide the content of Islamic faith; no secular power therefore should appropriate this right to itself. To do so is interfering with the very essence of Islam.
Fourthly, we must never lose sight of the maxim that freedom of any kind rightfully belongs only to those who are willing to stand up and fight for it.
I therefore strongly urge Muslim women and men to defend their freedom to practice their religion; by doing so we are at once true to the spirit of Islam besides being true to the spirit of the constitution and laws of France which essentially uphold freedom and dignity for every human being; Muslims who shall do so will be, Allah-willing, hailed as true upholders of democracy and freedom and dignity, the fundamental ideals of France, rather than the existing administration, which in its policies is being carried away by ideas contrary to the very spirit of their laws.
Finally, let us bear in mind that the final outcome is good only for those who cherish true faith and remain steadfast on it.
You can also read:
France: Hijab under Attack
Hijab in France: Muslims' Role
Should French Muslims Emigrate due to Ban on Hijab?
Lesser Hijab for French Muslim Women: Acceptable?
Allah Almighty knows best.
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Mandi
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Now coming to the question of religious obligation and civil disobedience. How can Muslim sisters in France strike an equitable balance between the prospective ban on Hijab and the civil disobedience to the French government in case they ban the sisters from wearing the Hijab?
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| Answer |
In the Name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful.
All praise and thanks are due to Allah, and peace and blessings be upon His Messenger.
France is a democratic country and in every democracy there are mechanisms to discuss, debate and change to the public opinion.
Muslims must be part of this discussion; rather they should exercise this right like every law-abiding citizens of a democratic nation and see that such unjust laws are removed.
Democracy is all about protecting freedoms and dignity; Islam is for that; so Muslims and non-Muslims who stand up to defend the right of Muslim women to wear Hijab are the true law-abiding citizens of France, rather than those who choke such freedoms and civil liberties.
It is high time that Muslims stop speaking the language of victims, and start speaking the language of those who positively assert and affirm their convictions and ideals.
Allah Almighty knows best.
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hana
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As-salamu `alaykum warahmatullahi wabarakatuh.
I am a Muslim woman who recently got married after a lot of troubles and problems that occurred between my husband and family.
I currently live in another country away from my family. but my husband ordered me to never allow me to visit my family or contact them again after the problems they caused him during our marriage, although he gave me promises before our marriage that he will send me over to visit them at least once a year, since they are in another country, and he claimed that Islam says that I have to obey him even if he asks me to cut silat ar-rahim or fostering the ties of kinship. What does Islam say about that? Please reply to my mail since I am confused, and I just can't believe Islam would allow such a rule. I understand a wife have to obey her husband in everything but as long as it is halal and right by Allah.
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Wa `alaykum As-Salamu wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuh.
In the Name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful.
All praise and thanks are due to Allah, and peace and blessings be upon His Messenger.
No husband can forbid his wife from establishing silat ar-rahim (fostering the ties of kinship).
Kindness to parents is mandated by the Qur'an; it is in fact the second foremost commandment in all revelations. According to the Qur'an (see surah Luqmaan) this duty is not diminished by the fact that the parents are non-Muslims, although one is not supposed to obey one's parents if they order anything that is against Allah's order.
In light of the above, your husband is definitely violating the commandment of Allah if he stops you from visiting your parents. I advise both of you, therefore, to seek counseling from a respected Imam or scholar in the community so that your husband is reminded of his limitations and comes to his senses.
You can also read:
Islam’s Care for Ties of Kinship
Allah Almighty knows best.
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Lama
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How do we behave when there is a statement by a Sunni authority like that of the Grand Imam Tantawi and there is also an opposing statement issued by a league of Muslim scholars at Al-Azhar itself? Which opinion should Muslim women in France follow? Which fatwa should they take?
Could you please remove my confusion?
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In the Name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful.
All praise and thanks are due to Allah, and peace and blessings be upon His Messenger.
Muslims never be confused so long as we put first things first. Let us remember that no one is infallible but Allah and His Messenger. Therefore, in cases of dispute, we must adhere firmly to what we know of the principles: No scholar can exercise a dissenting opinion when the text is clear; the text about Hijab is clear; it has been understood and practiced by Muslims throughout centauries. It is therefore not to be subjected to debates.
Another point is the issue of freedom of religious practice; Hijab issue is as much a part of the issue of freedom. We must therefore see the campaign against Hijab in this light. We must never allow an infringement on our freedoms; to do so is akin to surrendering our freedoms. So let us never lose sight of real issues at stake here.
You can also read:
Dealing with Conflicting Fatwas!
Allah Almighty knows best.
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Hani
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How Muslim men and women in France face such a law? Any practical procedures are very much appreciated?
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In the Name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful.
All praise and thanks are due to Allah, and peace and blessings be upon His Messenger.
Here are a few tips to follow:
1. Know your rights in a democracy and learn the language of the people to speak for your rights in a democracy;
2. Get out of our cocoons and be part of the wider community so that others know that we are not against them and so that they come to see us for what we are: law-abiding citizens who believe in freedom, dignity and self-respect for everyone;
3. Let our mosques become part of the wider community, instead of being obsessed with rituals and dogmas that have no relevance to the life of the people; let the mimbar reflect the life-changing vision of Islam and the realities of people's life;
4. Join hands with all peace-loving and democratic citizens for common purposes; enlist their support in this struggle for protecting the freedom of practicing our religion;
5. Master the media and communications so that our message is conveyed to everyone;
6. Last but not least, trust in Allah and struggle for truth and justice, for that is what life is all about. Life, for those who are true to their faith, is all about struggle; we rest only in the next world. As the Prophet, peace be upon him, told his beloved daughter in his deathbed, "After today, all toils of your father are over!"
You can also read:
Hijab in France: Muslims' Role
Allah Almighty knows best.
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| Name |
Marwan
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Respected Sheikh Kutty.
May Allah elongate and bless your age. How can we avoid the plague that is anti-Islamic in France and North America?
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In the Name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful.
All praise and thanks are due to Allah, and peace and blessings be upon His Messenger.
As Muslims we believe that the life of this world is all about struggle. So we must first understand the truth about our religion and stand up to proclaim it without fear. This is the lesson we learn from the stories of Prophets in the Qur'an; our time is no different from theirs.
We must also learn the Prophetic method of communicating the message and changing the society; for, as all objective historians have readily recognized the Prophet's work was a standing miracle; so we have no choice but to acquaint ourselves with the strategies and methods employed by the Prophet (peace and blessing be upon him), as he converted a people who had fought to exterminate him and his followers into a vanguard of Islamic faith--all in a short span of twenty three years.
Muslims must never give up; it is high time that we stop speaking the language of despair, cynicism, and victimhood; rather we must be confident and assertive; with faith in Allah and ourselves we can change the circumstances around in our favor. "Verily, Allah's mercy is with those who excel in their works!" (Ar-‘Araf: 56)
You can also read:
Duties of Muslims Living in the West
Allah Almighty knows best.
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Mehmet
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The dearest and closest Christian friend I have is a 90 year old former catholic priest who has been a joy and loving supporter of me for several years. He's a beautiful man with a loving heart for all peoples and an enormous respect for Islam. He never fails to call me every day to check on me because of my disabilities.
My question is: When his time comes to die, if he does before me, is it permissible for me to give a eulogy for him at a church or funeral home? Because his wife, 86, may indeed ask me and many know how close he and I am. Jazakum Allah Khairan.
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In the Name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful.
All praise and thanks are due to Allah, and peace and blessings be upon His Messenger.
Islam teaches us to recognize goodness in every human being and reciprocate kindness with kindness at all times.
You are therefore not only allowed but religiously mandated in Islam to speak about his goodness after his death. The fact that he was not a Muslim should never stop you from doing that. This does not mean that you participate in their specific religious rituals on this occasion.
So go ahead and give eulogy for him; there is nothing un Islamic about it. By doing this, in fact, you are letting them know the truth about our religion. In fact, I can assure you, it is through such acts of kindness and generosity of spirit that Islam spread throughout the world and not through sword and might.
You can also read:
Muslims and Non-Muslims at Each Other’s Funerals
Allah Almighty knows best.
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Khatmi
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What are the legal procedures that Muslim parents should take to face such a law and to instruct their girls to the fact that Hijab is an Islamic obligation?
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In the Name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful.
All praise and thanks are due to Allah, and peace and blessings be upon His Messenger.
The specific legal procedures that Muslim parents must take must be figured out in consultation with the legal experts in the field. I am sure there would be both Muslim and non-Muslim experts who could advice us on this matter. But we need to look out for them. May be you should get in touch with the official Muslim representatives in France; they would advice you on this matter.
Allah Almighty knows best.
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Isma'il
- United Kingdom
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As-Salamu `alaykum. What specific action would you suggest should the proposed banning of Hijab in French schools come into force? If the proposal is accepted, wouldn't a lack of action pave the way for more 'totalitarian' measures within France and indeed beyond?
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Wa `alaykum As-Salamu wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuh.
In the Name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful.
All praise and thanks are due to Allah, and peace and blessings be upon His Messenger.
You are right; we have no choice but to stand up and fight for our freedom; otherwise, we are simply allowing for curtailment of our freedoms and erosion of our civil rights. That would signal the death of democracy and therefore the end of freedom to practice Islam or any religion for that matter.
Allah Almighty knows best.
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Editor
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In the Name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful.
All praise and thanks are due to Allah, and peace and blessings be upon His Messenger.
Brothers and sisters, we are so sorry for not answering all your questions because the time is over. We apologize for any inconvenience. Do keep in touch. Join us in coming sessions.
Yours,
Islam Online Fatwa Editing Desk.
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| All Fatwas published on this website (Islamonline.net) represent the juristic views and opinions of eminent scholars and Muftis. They do not necessarily form a juristic approach upheld by this website. Click here to read Full Disclaimer. |
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