Aspects of etiquette and decency in Islam (II)
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- Category: Philosofaith
- Written by M. U. Ndagi
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Our last week’s discourse continues by focusing on decency in the clothes we wear. The sunnah of the prophet (SAW) recommends that we should wear our clothes by beginning with the right hand (for shirts, blouses, gowns) and right leg (for trousers and shorts). We are also encouraged to supplicate when wearing a new dress. Abu Daud and Tirmidhi both relate on the authority of Abi Sa’eed that the prophet (SAW) would, whenever he was wearing a new dress would, say “Allahuma laka al-hamdu anta kasautaniihi; as-aluka khairahu wa khaira maa suni’a lahuu; wa a’uuzu bika min sharrihi wa sharri maa suni’a lahuu” meaning “O Allah! Gratitude is due to you (for) you clothed me with it; I ask you of the best from it and the best for which it was made; I seek your refuge against its evil and the evil it was made for”.
Islam forbids men from wearing silk materials. Umaru bn al-khattab (RA), the second Khalifah in Islam, quotes from the messenger Allah that it is only those who have nothing to gain on the Day of Judgment that wear silk dresses. However, men who suffer from scabies are allowed to wear silk materials. Such was the concession, according to Annas (AS), given to Zubayr and Abdulrahman bn Auf because of the skin diseases they had. It is also prohibited in Islam to wear clothes or materials made from the hides or skin of lions and other beasts of prey.This brings us to modern but forbidden fashion of dresses worn by some women, which styles seek to expose their nakedness and thus harass men. Every part of a woman’s body is considered part of her nakedness except that which appears from her face and palms to the wrist. We have repeatedly discussed at various times in this column that it is prohibited particularly for women to wear tight or transparent dresses which in effect tend to expose the shape or size of their chest or back.
A woman looks decent when dressed in hijab, which is a veil that covers her body from head down to her waist or beyond it down to the legs. Muslim women who prefer to use other than the popular hijab are those imagined to be interested in advertizing the brand of their necklaces or ear rings; the colour of their head gears; or style of their blouses. The only person to whom a woman (especially if she is married) is permitted to show her elegance or beauty of her dresses is her husband. A woman becomes vulnerable to shaytan and evil when she refuses to dress according to the teachings of Islam. It is worse if she exposes her hair.
The manner in which the bill for dress code was prematurely killed in the senate in 2008 demonstrates the limited sense of decency among many of those who claim to represent Nigerians, their culture and their feelings. The discussion continues next week insha Allah. May Allah guide us to live a decent life that is in accordance with the teachings of our religion, amin.
Muslims eating the meal of Christians:
Above is the subject of a question asked by one of the readers who reacted to the first part of this discourse published on this page last week. Due to space constraints and because the discourse is expected to continue this week, I decided to publish only this response. The response to the question (outlined below) should supposedly foster understanding of not only Islam, but also of Christianity and Christians; especially in this Yuletide period of giving gratitude to God, seeking His mercy and guidance, and showing kindness to the less-privileged.
Question: “My Salam to you Mallam. I have a question. If a Christian brings food for you on Christmas day; is it allowed for a Muslim to eat from that food?” (Mahmud 08053733572)
Response: Yes, it is permitted in Islam to eat the food prepared and served to you by Christians, whether it is on Christmas day or other occasions. Allah (SWT) states in Qur’an 5:6 “This day are (all) things good and pure made lawful unto you. The food of the People of the Book is lawful unto you and yours is lawful unto them. (Lawful unto you in marriage) are (not only) chaste women who are believers but chaste among the People of the Book revealed before your time when you give them their dowers…” It is categorically clear from the text of the above Qur’anic verse that it is lawful for Muslims to eat the food (meat inclusive) prepared by their Christian brothers and sisters; provided such is lawful for consumption in Islam. It does not matter whether or not the meal is coming from the Christian on a Christmas day, New Year day, Good Friday, Easter Monday, or such other spiritual occasions. The “food” mentioned in the verse under reference is interpreted by the tafsir (Qur’anic commentary) books of Ibn kathir, Jalaalain, Ali Assabuni, and At-Tabari, to include meat. The only food, meat or drink that is unlawful for Muslims to eat is that which is prohibited in Islam such as pork meat, carrion, alcohol and other intoxicants; whether such unlawful food is prepared or offered by Muslims or Christians.
If the same verse (Qur’an 5:6) which goes further to permit marriage between Muslims and Christians allows Muslims to eat (and drink) from the meals (including meat) prepared by Christians, one finds it difficult to understand the basis for the brutish intolerance and unceasing violent hostilities between contemporary Nigerian Muslims and Christians. There is no place in the Qur’an (the Holy Book of Muslims) where Allah (SWT) uses aggressive or offensive language against the People of the Book including Christians. Allah (SWT) considers Muslims and Christians in the Injil or Bible (the Holy Book of both Muslims and Christians) as followers of revealed religions. However, the thought and actions of many of today’s Muslims and Christians appear to be different from those of the men of God who brought God’s message to mankind. It seems there are more people from among the followers of these two religions who are much uninformed of the religion they claim to profess than there are those who actually know and practice the teachings Islam and Christianity. Allah knows best. May Allah guide us to understand and practice our religion in the manner taught by Allah (SWT) through His revealed scriptures, prophets and messengers; the last and seal of them (all) being Muhammad (SAW), amin.
Articles
Aspects of etiquette and decency in Islam (II)
Category: Philosofaith Written by M. U. Ndagi Hits: 839
Our last week’s discourse continues by focusing on decency in the clothes we wear. The sunnah of the prophet (SAW) recommends that we should wear our clothes by beginning with the right hand (for shirts, blouses, gowns) and right leg (for trousers and shorts). We are also encouraged to supplicate when wearing a new dress. Abu Daud and Tirmidhi both relate on the authority of Abi Sa’eed that the prophet (SAW) would, whenever he was wearing a new dress would, say “Allahuma laka al-hamdu anta kasautaniihi; as-aluka khairahu wa khaira maa suni’a lahuu; wa a’uuzu bika min sharrihi wa sharri maa suni’a lahuu” meaning “O Allah! Gratitude is due to you (for) you clothed me with it; I ask you of the best from it and the best for which it was made; I seek your refuge against its evil and the evil it was made for”.
Islam forbids men from wearing silk materials. Umaru bn al-khattab (RA), the second Khalifah in Islam, quotes from the messenger Allah that it is only those who have nothing to gain on the Day of Judgment that wear silk dresses. However, men who suffer from scabies are allowed to wear silk materials. Such was the concession, according to Annas (AS), given to Zubayr and Abdulrahman bn Auf because of the skin diseases they had. It is also prohibited in Islam to wear clothes or materials made from the hides or skin of lions and other beasts of prey.This brings us to modern but forbidden fashion of dresses worn by some women, which styles seek to expose their nakedness and thus harass men. Every part of a woman’s body is considered part of her nakedness except that which appears from her face and palms to the wrist. We have repeatedly discussed at various times in this column that it is prohibited particularly for women to wear tight or transparent dresses which in effect tend to expose the shape or size of their chest or back.
A woman looks decent when dressed in hijab, which is a veil that covers her body from head down to her waist or beyond it down to the legs. Muslim women who prefer to use other than the popular hijab are those imagined to be interested in advertizing the brand of their necklaces or ear rings; the colour of their head gears; or style of their blouses. The only person to whom a woman (especially if she is married) is permitted to show her elegance or beauty of her dresses is her husband. A woman becomes vulnerable to shaytan and evil when she refuses to dress according to the teachings of Islam. It is worse if she exposes her hair.
The manner in which the bill for dress code was prematurely killed in the senate in 2008 demonstrates the limited sense of decency among many of those who claim to represent Nigerians, their culture and their feelings. The discussion continues next week insha Allah. May Allah guide us to live a decent life that is in accordance with the teachings of our religion, amin.
Muslims eating the meal of Christians:
Above is the subject of a question asked by one of the readers who reacted to the first part of this discourse published on this page last week. Due to space constraints and because the discourse is expected to continue this week, I decided to publish only this response. The response to the question (outlined below) should supposedly foster understanding of not only Islam, but also of Christianity and Christians; especially in this Yuletide period of giving gratitude to God, seeking His mercy and guidance, and showing kindness to the less-privileged.
Question: “My Salam to you Mallam. I have a question. If a Christian brings food for you on Christmas day; is it allowed for a Muslim to eat from that food?” (Mahmud 08053733572)
Response: Yes, it is permitted in Islam to eat the food prepared and served to you by Christians, whether it is on Christmas day or other occasions. Allah (SWT) states in Qur’an 5:6 “This day are (all) things good and pure made lawful unto you. The food of the People of the Book is lawful unto you and yours is lawful unto them. (Lawful unto you in marriage) are (not only) chaste women who are believers but chaste among the People of the Book revealed before your time when you give them their dowers…” It is categorically clear from the text of the above Qur’anic verse that it is lawful for Muslims to eat the food (meat inclusive) prepared by their Christian brothers and sisters; provided such is lawful for consumption in Islam. It does not matter whether or not the meal is coming from the Christian on a Christmas day, New Year day, Good Friday, Easter Monday, or such other spiritual occasions. The “food” mentioned in the verse under reference is interpreted by the tafsir (Qur’anic commentary) books of Ibn kathir, Jalaalain, Ali Assabuni, and At-Tabari, to include meat. The only food, meat or drink that is unlawful for Muslims to eat is that which is prohibited in Islam such as pork meat, carrion, alcohol and other intoxicants; whether such unlawful food is prepared or offered by Muslims or Christians.
If the same verse (Qur’an 5:6) which goes further to permit marriage between Muslims and Christians allows Muslims to eat (and drink) from the meals (including meat) prepared by Christians, one finds it difficult to understand the basis for the brutish intolerance and unceasing violent hostilities between contemporary Nigerian Muslims and Christians. There is no place in the Qur’an (the Holy Book of Muslims) where Allah (SWT) uses aggressive or offensive language against the People of the Book including Christians. Allah (SWT) considers Muslims and Christians in the Injil or Bible (the Holy Book of both Muslims and Christians) as followers of revealed religions. However, the thought and actions of many of today’s Muslims and Christians appear to be different from those of the men of God who brought God’s message to mankind. It seems there are more people from among the followers of these two religions who are much uninformed of the religion they claim to profess than there are those who actually know and practice the teachings Islam and Christianity. Allah knows best. May Allah guide us to understand and practice our religion in the manner taught by Allah (SWT) through His revealed scriptures, prophets and messengers; the last and seal of them (all) being Muhammad (SAW), amin.