Category: Islam

Muharram & Aashurah Mubarak

It’s the month Muharram 1441, Alhamdulillah.

The beginning of a New Islamic Year for us.

Happy New Hijri Year!

As I write this, it is the evening of the 6th of Muharram.

Just over halfway to the day of Aashurah.

What is the day of Aashurah, and why is it important?

Here are a few points on why Aashurah is important and significant to us, as Muslims;

• The day of Aashurah is the 10th of Muharram.

  • In the Holy Qur’aan, Allah Subhanahu Wa Ta’aala mentions 4 sacred months (Surah At – Tawba, Verse 36) , and in the Hadeeth, Rasoolullah Sallallahu Alayhi Wa Sallam has mentioned:

“The year is Twelve Months, of which four are Sacred. The three consecutive months of Dhul – Qa’dah, Dhul – Hijjah, and Muharram, and Rajab, which comes between Jamadil – Aakhir and Sha’baan.”

(Sahih Al Bukhari)

  • Hazrat Adam Alayhis Salaam’s repentance was accepted by Allah, on this day, after he had eaten from the forbidden tree and was expelled to earth.
  • Nooh Alayhis Salaam’s Arc came to rest on Mount Judi in Iraq, on this day.
  • Moosa Alayhis Salaam and his people were saved on this day, from Firown (Pharaoh), when Allah SWT granted him the miracle of parting the Red Sea, by striking his staff against the sea. Firown and his army were drowned in the sea when they followed Moosa (AS).
  • The Prophet SAW recommended to his followers to fast on this day, as Hazrat Ibn Abbas Radiyallahu Anhu ( May Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Prophet Sallallahu Alayhi Wa Sallam said:

The Prophet Sallaahu Alayhi Wa Sallam came to Madinah and saw the Jews fasting on the Day of Aashurah. He said, “What is this?’ They said, “This is a righteous day, it is the day when Allah saved the Children of Israel from their enemies, so Moosa (AS) fasted on this day.” He said, “We have more right to Moosa than you,” so he fasted on that day and commanded (the Muslims) to fast on that day.

Sahih Al Bukhari

  • Fasting on this day is also a means of having our minor sins forgiven. Tawbah (repentance) will be required major sins.
    • The Prophet SAW has said, “Fasting the day of Arafah, I hope Allah will expiate thereby for the year before it and the year after it, and fasting the day of Aashurah, I hope Allah will expiate thereby for the year that came before it.” ( Sahih Muslim)
  • In order to differentiate ourselves (Muslims) from the Jews, the Prophet SAW said that we should also fast the day before Aashurah, the 9th of Muharram, or the day after Aashurah, the 11th of Muharram, as the Jews only fasted on the day of Aashurah.
  • The day of A’ashurah is also a day on which we should spend on our families. There are great blessings to be attained throughout the year for the one who spends generously on his family.

The Prophet Sallallahu Alayhi Wa Sallam is reported to have said that: “One who generously spends on his family on Aashurah, 10th of Muharram), Allah SWT will be generous on/to him for the entire year.”

(Al Bayhaqi).

To this end, for many women, the next few days will be days of deadlines, ordering or finalizing orders for the decor, theme, food, desserts, & gifts for the day of Aashurah.

I wish you and you family both Muharram and Aashurah Mubarak. May we all be blessed abundantly by Allah Subhanahu Wa Ta’aala, in the coming year, Aameen.

Nail Polish & It’s Controversial Position In Islam

Nail Polish has always been a bit of a controversial topic in Islam.

As women, we love looking elegant and beautiful.

Aside from our natural beauty, we enhance our looks by taking care of ourselves and by applying various beauty, makeup and body products.

Our hands are no different. We want them looking beautiful and youthful, even though our hands tend to age the fastest, considering we do so much with them on a daily basis.

One way of achieving this is by taking care of them. Going for or doing in-home manicures is one of these ways, in which we enhance them.

Some of us opt for a manicure with buffing, in which the nails are buffed, bringing the natural oils in our nails to the surface, thereby creating a healthy, glossy surface.

However, many women opt for nail polish, for various reasons. These range from being fashionable to just personal preference.

Nail Polish Ingredients:

A range of chemicals combined to make resins, solvents, film formers, pearls, pigments, etc are used in combination to further make up Nail Polish.

Here’s a post by www.Thoughtco.com which explains the chemical composition of nail polish as well as the function of each of the ingredients.

What’s the effect of wearing nail polish?

Use over long periods of time could result in discoloured, weak, brittle nails and it takes a while for them to be able to recover from that, if possible. Another thing to consider is that the chemicals in nail polish could affect various functions in your body, as some chemicals could be absorbed through the nail and/or nail bed.

The Islamic point of view:

Being a Muslimah doesn’t make us any less of a woman wanting to look beautiful, however, we need to adhere to the rules and regulations as far as Tahaarat (Purity) goes.

From a young age we are taught that we need to be pure/clean, in order to perform our Salaah (prayers) & to read the Qur’aan Majeed. To do this, we need to perform our Wudhu (ablution) correctly.

As such, one of the obligatory conditions of making Wudhu (ablution) is to wash ones hands in such a way that no part of it must remain dry, and any unwashed parts would render the Wudhu/ablution incomplete.

The application of nail polish prevents the water from touching the nail as it forms a barrier or film on the nail. This is why many a learned Scholar would advise against the use of nail polish and would rather suggest using henna on your nails as it stains/colours the nail, but does not prevent water from touching the nail or the surrounding skin.

Halaal Nail Polish:

As with many things, Western society has noticed that the ‘Halaal Market’ globally is worth, possibly billions of dollars.

And so many companies look to developing ‘Halaal Market’ targeting items. A quick Google search of ‘Halaal + (item)’ will bring thousands, if not millions, of results.

‘Halaal Nail Polish’ made an appearance a couple of years ago, with a few well – known companies claiming that their formulas are ‘water permeable’.

Having tested two well – known brands personally, I can honestly say that they aren’t water permeable, even if you apply just a single coat.

The Halaal Nail Polish Controversy by Mufti Menk:

The Halaal Nail Polish Controversy by Mufti Menk

Do share your opinion on this topic below.

I look forward to all your thoughts, opinions and comments.