The Upcoming of the Blessed Month of RamadhanPost 2

In the previous post we mentioned the merits of Ramadhan. After acknowledging the merits of this blessed month it is vital that we prepare for this month and ensure that we are ready when this month dawns upon us. However, in order to be able to prepare for this month it is primarily essential to understand its purpose; for only after understanding the purpose of this month will we understand our aims and prepare accordingly.

The Purpose of Ramadhan

The month of Ramadhan is not like any other month; its purpose is to rid man of those habits which he has accumulated throughout the rest of the year. It is a month that prepares man for the remaining eleven months by teaching him discipline and self control. Thus, Allah has made some acts which are beloved to man, like eating, drinking and fulfilling one's desires, Haraam. If man can control these desires in this month, which are usually permissible for him, then he can surely control himself from other desires which are not permissible throughout the remaining months.

This blessed month has been sent by Allah to His bondsmen so that can create a connection and draw closer to Allah by reaping the many rewards that lie in this month. A person who has been given the opportunity to be present in this month can take this as a sign that Allah Ta’ala has given him another opportunity to draw closer to Him and earn His paradise through worship in this month.

In this month we will be given many opportunities, as mentioned above to reform ourselves and seek forgiveness for our bad sins. This is a month of reformation and self reflection, where a believer can ponder of over spirituality and piety and bring a change for the better. The Prophet of Allah صلي الله عليه و سلم has clearly stated:

مَنْ لَمْ يَدَعْ قَوْلَ الزُّورِ وَالْعَمَلَ بِهِ فَلَيْسَ لِلَّهِ حَاجَةٌ فِي أَنْ يَدَعَ طَعَامَهُ وَشَرَابَهُ

“Whoever does not give up lying and evil actions, then Allah is not in need of his leaving his food and drink"

[Saheeh al-Bukhari]

It is clear from this Hadeeth which has been narrated on the authority of Hadrhat Abu Huraira رضي الله عنه that Allah is not in need of any person to leave his food or drink. Allah is far from needs and desires. However, it is the mercy of Allah that He wants each and every person to leave those things which will lead him to the hellfire and by controlling one’s desires throughout this month it is hoped that one will be able to control himself throughout the following months also.

For those who can relate, we can look at the month of Ramadhan like an MOT test. It is vital to be on form during this test. Once the test is over then we should be at a standard where we can continue through the following months. Indeed, there will be repairs and faults in between, but these will be minor and can be dealt with on the spot.

May Allah Ta’ala make us successful in this test, for the one who is unsuccessful in this test may not be given an opportunity for a re-test.

ان جبرئيل عرض لي فقال بعد من ادرك رمضان فلم يغفر له قلت آمين

"Jibreel came to me and said, 'Whoever reaches the month of Ramadan and does not have his sins forgiven and so enters the Fire, then may Allah distance him, say ameen" So I said "Ameen"

[Mustadrak al-Haakim]

In summary, the month of Ramadhan has been made so that mankind can take benefit of the merits and blessings contained within to change themselves for the better and by doing so create a bond with Allah that will continue throughout the eleven remaining months.

It is a month within which Allah has instructed us to place more emphasis on actions regarding our Deen (religion) as opposed to our daily routine and emphasis on worldly matters.

Insha Allah in the next post, an effort will be made to discuss the methods we should carry out to prepare ourselves for this unique month. We have now one month remaining before the arrival of this blessed month, and therefore it seems necessary to post more than twice a week in an effort to cover all the topics and necessary rulings before the commencement of this month. Insha Allah, I will be making an effort to post as much as three times a week in order to cover these topics. I pray that information comes in use and aids the readers in preparing for the month of Ramadhan.

As a reminder, please commit the following Du’a to memory and make a habit of reciting it daily until the day of Ramdhan.

اللهم بارك لنا في رجب وشعبان وبلغنا رمضان

"O Allah, make the months of Rajab and Sha’ban blessed for us, and let us reach the month of Ramadhan”.

[Musnad-e-Ahmed]

The Upcoming of the Blessed Month of RamadhanPost 1

The month of Ramadhan is by far in need of any introduction to its merit, status and significance in Islam. It is a month that excels and surpasses all the other months in its excellence and superiority.

However, it is a merit on its own to introduce the many qualities of this month with the intention of preparation for this month; for it was also the practice of our Beloved Nabi صلي الله عليه و سلم to prepare for this month, physically, spiritually and also verbally.

Insha Allah, in attempt to ready ourselves, a series of posts will be written regarding Ramdhan. A few of the topics will include:

• Purpose of Ramadhan
  
• Methods of preparations,
  
• Acts of worship that should be carried out in this month,
  
• Rulings regarding Ramadhan,
  
• Supplications that one can make during this month,
  
• A true farewell of this month.

The Merits of Ramadhan

Ramadhan is the 9th month of the Islamic Calendar and is well known as the month of fasting. It is in this month that fasting is made obligatory upon Muslims all across the globe.

The month of Ramadhan brings along with it a new height of mercy from Allah Ta’ala; it allows a believer to reach levels that he may not have been able to reach in other months. The month of Ramadhan is a gift from Allah to the believers due to their short span of life; it allows them to reap benefits in this short period similar to that which previous nations acquired.

The commencement of any Islamic months is indicated by the sighting of the moon, and similarly its end is also known by the sighting of the moon for the month of Shawaal. The Prophet صلي الله عليه و سلم once mentioned in regards to Ramadhan and said:

"لاَ تَصُومُوا حَتَّى تَرَوُا الْهِلاَلَ، وَلاَ تُفْطِرُوا حَتَّى تَرَوْهُ، فَإِنْ غُمَّ عَلَيْكُمْ فَاقْدُرُوا لَه"

"When you see the crescent (of the month of Ramadan), start fasting, and when you see the crescent (of the month of Shawwal), stop fasting; and if the sky is overcast (and you can't see It) then regard the crescent (month) of Ramadan (as of 30 days)".

[Saheeh al-Bukhari]

It is narrated by Hadhrat Abu Huraira رضي الله عنه that the messenger of Allah صلي الله عليه و سلم said:

إِذَا جَاءَ رَمَضَانَ فُتِحَتْ أَبْوَابُ الْجَنَّةِ

"When Ramadan begins, the gates of Paradise are opened."

[Saheeh al-Bukhari]

It is also narrated by Hadhrat Abu Huraira رضي الله عنه that the messenger of Allah صلي الله عليه و سلم said:

إِذَا دَخَلَ شَهْرُ رَمَضَانَ فُتِّحَتْ أَبْوَابُ السَّمَاءِ، وَغُلِّقَتْ أَبْوَابُ جَهَنَّمَ، وَسُلْسِلَتِ الشَّيَاطِينُ

"When the month of Ramadan starts, the gates of the heaven are opened and the gates of Hell are closed and the devils are chained."

[Saheeh al-Bukhari]

In this month Allah Ta’ala opens the gates of paradise to denote that during this month access to Jannah is made simple for the believers, it is during this month that believers can enter this garden prepared by Allah for the believers.

The opening of the gates encourages a believer to excel in worship, and Allah through His mercy makes it easier for him to do this by chaining the devils and locking the doors of Hell.

To any ordinary person, it would seem that fasting is the name of leaving one’s food, drink and desires from sunrise till dawn. However, the reality of fasting and the month of Ramadhan is far greater. It is for this reason that many Ahadeeth have been narrated from the Prophet صلي الله عليه و سلم regarding this auspicious month.

It is narrated by Hadhrat Abu Huraira رضي الله عنه that the messenger of Allah صلي الله عليه و سلم said:

وَالَّذِي نَفْسِي بِيَدِهِ لَخُلُوفُ فَمِ الصَّائِمِ أَطْيَبُ عِنْدَ اللَّهِ تَعَالَى مِنْ رِيحِ الْمِسْكِ، يَتْرُكُ طَعَامَهُ وَشَرَابَهُ وَشَهْوَتَهُ مِنْ أَجْلِي، الصِّيَامُ لِي، وَأَنَا أَجْزِي بِهِ، وَالْحَسَنَةُ بِعَشْرِ أَمْثَالِهَا

"By Him in Whose Hands my soul is, the smell coming out from the mouth of a fasting person is better in the sight of Allah than the smell of musk. (Allah says about the fasting person), 'He has left his food, drink and desires for My sake. The fast is for Me. So I will reward (the fasting person) for it and the reward of good deeds is multiplied ten times."

[Bukhari]

In this Hadith the rank and status of the fasting person is mentioned and Allah declares His love and appreciation for that person who fasts for His sake. He proclaims and announces that the fast is such an act which is done for Him and He will personally reward that person for this act.

In another Hadith it is reported by Hadhrat Sahl رضي الله عنه that the messenger of Allah صلي الله عليه و سلم said:

إِنَّ فِي الْجَنَّةِ بَابًا يُقَالُ لَهُ الرَّيَّانُ، يَدْخُلُ مِنْهُ الصَّائِمُونَ يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ، لاَ يَدْخُلُ مِنْهُ أَحَدٌ غَيْرُهُمْ يُقَالُ أَيْنَ الصَّائِمُونَ فَيَقُومُونَ، لاَ يَدْخُلُ مِنْهُ أَحَدٌ غَيْرُهُمْ، فَإِذَا دَخَلُوا أُغْلِقَ، فَلَمْ يَدْخُلْ مِنْهُ أَحَدٌ

"There is a gate in Paradise called Ar-Raiyan, and those who observe fasts will enter through it on the Day of Resurrection and none except them will enter through it. It will be said, 'Where are those who used to observe fasts?' They will get up, and none except them will enter through it. After their entry the gate will be closed and nobody will enter through it."

[Bukhari]

This is the honour given by Allah to all those that fast for His sake. They will be given the honour of being called separately on the Day of Judgement and will be made to enter Jannah from a door that will be specifically for them.

In a lengthy Hadeeth, the Prophet of Allah صلي الله عليه و سلم addressed the Sahaba رضي الله عنهم on the last day of Sha’ban and mentioned many qualities and virtues.

Extracts have been taken from this Hadeeth which is narrated on the authority of Hadhrat Salman رضي الله عنه. He states:

خطبنا رسول الله عليه و سلم في اخر يوم من شعبان فقال: "يا أيها الناس قد أظلكم شهر عظيم مبارك شهر فيه ليلة خير من ألف شهر، شهر جعل الله صيامه فريضة وقيام ليله تطوعًا، من تقرب فيه بخصلة كان كمن ادي فريضة في ما سواه و من ادي فريضة فيه كان كمن ادي سبعين فريضة فيما سواه، وهو شهر الصبر، والصبر ثوابه الجنة، و شهر المواساة، و شهر يزاد في رزق المؤمن فيه، من فطر فيه صائما كان مغفرة لذنوبه وعتق رقبته من النار وكان له مثل أجره من غير أن ينقص من أجره شىء... وهو شهر أوله رحمة وأوسطه مغفرة واخره عتق من النار، من خفف عن مملوكه فيه غفر الله له و اعتقه من النار... و من سقي صائما سقاه الله من حوضي شربة لا يضمأ حتي يدخل الجنة".

On the last day of Sha’ban Rasulullah صلي الله عليه و سلم addressed us and said, "O people there comes over you now a great month, a most blessed month in which lies a night more greater in virtue than a thousand months. It is a month in which Allah has made fasting compulsory by day. And has made Sunnah the Taraaweeh prayer by night. Whosoever intends drawing near to Allah by performing any virtuous deed, for such person shall be the reward like the one who had performed a Fardh in any other time. And whoever performs a Fardh, shall be blessed with the reward of seventy Faraidh in any other time.

This is indeed the month of patience, and the reward for true patience is Jannah (paradise). It is the month of sympathy with one's fellowmen. It is the month wherein a true believer's sustenance is increased. Whosoever feeds another who fasted, in order to break the fast at sunset, for the feeder there shall be forgiveness of sins and emancipation from the fire of Jahannam (hell), and for such feeder shall be the same reward as the one who fasted (who he fed) without that persons reward being decreased in the least…

This is a month, the first of which brings Allah's mercy, the middle of which brings His forgiveness and the last of which brings emancipation from the fire of Jahan-nam.

Whosoever lessens the burden of his servants (bonds-men) in this month, Allah will forgive him and free him from the fire of Jahannam…

And whoever gave a person who fasted water to drink, Allah shall grant that giver to drink from my fountain, such a drink where after that person shall never again feel thirsty until he enters Jannah."

[Saheeh ibn Khuzaimah]

In this Hadeeth there are many virtues that have been mentioned regarding the month of Ramadhan. It is a month within which Allah increases the rewards of acts carried out by a believer; he is able to get close to Allah through Nafl (optional) acts and is given the reward of seventy Fardh (obligatory) acts for a single Fardh act in this month.

Feeding or giving water to a fasting person in this month is also shown to be an act of great reward and merit, one of the reasons being that the fasting person is fasting for the sake of Allah and Allah Himself shown appreciation for this act of a believer. A person who quenches the thirst of a fasting person will also be given the honour on the Day of Judgement by being from those fortunate people who are given water from the fountain of the Prophet صلي الله عليه و سلم, known as al-Kauthar. A person who is given this water shall not feel thirst until during the day of Judgement until he enters Jannah.

This month is divided into three portions; the first portion being that which contains the mercy of Allah Ta’ala, the second portion containing the forgiveness of Allah Ta’ala and the final portion being a part within which there is freedom for the believers from the fire of Hell.

It is narrated that in this month is the Night of Power, Laylatul Qadr, which is more better than a thousand months of worship. It is a night which can be the medium for a persons forgiveness and success. It is narrated by Hadhrat Abu Huraira رضي الله عنه that the messenger of Allah صلي الله عليه و سلم said:

مَنْ قَامَ لَيْلَةَ الْقَدْرِ إِيمَانًا وَاحْتِسَابًا غُفِرَ لَهُ مَا تَقَدَّمَ مِنْ ذَنْبِهِ، وَمَنْ صَامَ رَمَضَانَ إِيمَانًا وَاحْتِسَابًا غُفِرَ لَهُ مَا تَقَدَّمَ مِنْ ذَنْبِهِ

"Whoever established prayers on the night of Qadr out of sincere faith and hoping for a reward from Allah, then all his previous sins will be forgiven; and whoever fasts in the month of Ramadan out of sincere faith, and hoping for a reward from Allah, then all his previous sins will be forgiven."

[Saheeh al-Bukhari]

One who performs in the month of Ramadhan in a manner shown by the Prophet of Allah صلي الله عليه و سلم he will be subject to the mercy and forgiveness of Allah Ta’ala. He will achieve the true purpose of Ramadhan, a new start and the closeness of Allah Ta’ala.

Insha Allah an effort will be made to present posts relating to the month of Ramadhan as an effort to prepare ourselves for such an exhilarated and rewarding month. The posts will include the necessary rulings and important information pertaining to this blessed month.

A decision is still being made as to whether the posts will be posted on this blog or my alternative blog, www.zain121.worpdress.com.

Life cannot be trusted, and I pray to Allah that He grants us all the life to be present in this Ramadhan and also grant us the wisdom and inclination to reap the benefits within. May He accept this effort and make it a source of salvation. Aameen.

Let us all make an effort to commit this Du’a to our memory and make a habit of reciting it daily until the day of Ramdhan.

‏ اللهم بارك لنا في رجب وشعبان وبلغنا رمضان

"O Allah, make the months of Rajab and Sha’ban blessed for us, and let us reach the month of Ramadhan".

[Musnad-e-Ahmed]

Marriage in Islam - 02. When to get married.

The first post on marriage covered the topic "if one chooses not to marry or is unable to get married". The topic that will now be discussed is, "When to get married".

Hadhrat Abdullah ibn ‘Umar mentions that he heard the Prophet of Allah SAW said:

‏عن النبي ‏ ‏صلى الله عليه وسلم ‏ ‏أنه قال ‏ ‏ألا كلكم راع وكلكم مسئول عن رعيته فالأمير الذي على الناس راع وهو مسئول عن رعيته والرجل راع على أهل بيته وهو مسئول عنهم والمرأة راعية على بيت بعلها وولده وهي مسئولة عنهم والعبد راع على مال سيده وهو مسئول عنه ألا فكلكم راع وكلكم مسئول عن رعيته

"All of you are shepherds and each of you is responsible for his flock. An Imaam is a shepherd and is responsible for his flock. A man is a shepherd in respect of his family and is responsible for his flock. The woman is a shepherd in respect of her husband’s house and is responsible for her flock. The servant is a shepherd in respect of his master’s property and is responsible for his flock. All of you are shepherds and each of you is responsible for his flock."

[Saheeh Muslim]

The meaning of this Hadith is that each person is responsible for one thing or another and that each person will be questioned regarding his responsibilities.

The parents hold great responsibility for their children; they are required to name them, feed them, clothe them, educate them and fulfil their necessities. Additionally, one of the responsibilities of parents is to marry their children when they are of age.

It is narrated by Hadhrat Abu Huraira رضي الله عنه that the Messenger of Allah صلي الله عليه و سلم said:

حق الولد علي والده أن يحسن إسمه و يزوجه اذا أدرك و يعلمه الكتاب

[Kanzul Ummaal]

It is clear in this Hadith that the responsibility of getting one’s child married is of the parents. If they are neglectful in any manner then they will be responsible and sinful, especially if the child commits any sin.

It is obvious that the age of marriage will vary with each individual and that varying factors will determine a suitable age of marriage for a person. For example, a child who is less aware of these matters will desire to marry later than someone who has matured earlier and quicker. Similarly, a child who is studying or does not have the means to maintain a family may decide to delay marriage until one is more settled and ready.

Nevertheless, it should be remembered that if the child has such desires then marriage should not be delayed due to excuses such as studying; for if the child falls into sinning due to not marrying then he will receive the sin as well as the parents.

Although the ages of marriage will vary, as mentioned above, there have been guidelines and indications regarding the age. In the Ahadeeth it is mentioned that a child should be married when the child matures and reaches an understanding. Furthermore, the child should be able to bear the responsibilities of marriage and fulfil the rights of the partner.

General guidelines have indicated the average age for a male to be twenty and for a female to be seventeen. However, this will vary in different societies, countries and from individual to individual. We may also see that as time goes by the age for marriage may decrease as children develop a quicker understanding of such matters and usually mature quicker.

Therefore, it is vital for every parent to analyse their child individually and deduce whether it is the correct time for their children to get married.

It should be understood that delay in marriage due to pre-requirements, such as not being able to find a suitable partner, does not fall under the description of ‘negligence’. The messenger of Allah صلي الله عليه و سلم has himself mentioned qualities for which a person is regarded suitable for marriage. However, it should also be kept in mind that all preparations and 'requirements' should be in accordance to the Islamic guidelines and Shari’ah.

In conclusion, the general age mentioned for marriage is twenty for boys and seventeen for girls. However, this will vary from individual to individual and will also depend on the customs within different backgrounds, social classes and families. However, these should all be disregarded if the child is ready for marriage and especially if he will commit a sin if marriage does not take place soon.

The above was written in view of the Shari’ah where the responsibility of getting a person married lies in the hands of the parents. However, it would be foolish to ignore current situations and customs where individual children are responsible for their own marriage, sometimes for valid reasons and at other times by going against the Shari'ah.

At times individuals are faced with the difficulty of organising their own marriages. This, at times, is due to the parent’s negligence or stubbornness where they are not willing to take the necessary action to meet the needs of their children or because they are unwilling to accept the choice of partner selected by their children. Insha Allah, these topics will be discussed in a later post.

Question 2: Are we allowed to watch a man doing Bayaan despite alternatives being available?

As I mentioned previousl, Sister Aisha raised a few questions she wanted answering. I have already addressed the the first question and will now attempt to explain the second question.

2) Are we allowed to watch a man doing Bayaan despite alternatives being available?

The answer to this question is almost answered in the first question which was regarding watching the new on television. I will explain a few differences from this question and the previous question whilst bringing answers from the previous question.

As mentioned before, questions regarding the watching of general television are occasional. The majority of Muslims will readily and whole heartedly agree that the viewing of the television will be impermissible in Islam due to many reasons.

However, from time to time we will see questions that are regarding specific viewing of the television and utilising it under different circumstances. For instance, the first question was regarding watching news on television whilst this question is regarding the watching of a male person or a female person giving a Bayaan (lecture) on television.

The reason why these questions usually have to be asked is because we fail to understand the reason of the impermissibility of watching the television in the first place.

In the previous question this topic was dealt with in much detail where I explained how any person is not allowed to see someone whom he/she is allowed to marry, known is Islam as a Ghair Mahram. Whilst taking this into consideration and other factors such as nudity, vulgar scenes and language, music etc, we class television as forbidden under the Islamic Law.

Nevertheless, the confusion will arise when the matter is religiously related or specific reasons are not present. For example, if someone was to watch a lecture (Bayaan) taking place on television then it would certainly remove the obscene language, nudity, vulgar scenes and music from being present. However, it is vital to ascertain whether all forbidden factors are removed.

Regarding the news it was explained that the Prophet of Allah صلي الله عليه و سلم had instructed as to lower our gazes and restrain ourselves from the viewing of Ghair Mahrams. This is the same instruction given to us by Allah Ta’ala in the Qur’an and it is the same for both men and women:

قُل لِّلْمُؤْمِنِينَ يَغُضُّوا مِنْ أَبْصَارِهِمْ وَيَحْفَظُوا فُرُوجَهُمْ ذَلِكَ أَزْكَى لَهُمْ إِنَّ اللَّهَ خَبِيرٌ بِمَا يَصْنَعُونَ

"Tell the believing men to lower their gaze, and protect their private parts. That is purer for them. Verily, Allah is All-Aware of what they do."

[Surah Nur- 24:30]

وَقُل لِّلْمُؤْمِنَاتِ يَغْضُضْنَ مِنْ أَبْصَارِهِنَّ وَيَحْفَظْنَ فُرُوجَهُنَّ وَلَا يُبْدِينَ زِينَتَهُنَّ إِلَّا مَا ظَهَرَ مِنْهَا وَلْيَضْرِبْنَ بِخُمُرِهِنَّ عَلَى جُيُوبِهِنَّ وَلَا يُبْدِينَ زِينَتَهُنَّ... وَلَا يَضْرِبْنَ بِأَرْجُلِهِنَّ لِيُعْلَمَ مَا يُخْفِينَ مِن زِينَتِهِنَّ وَتُوبُوا إِلَى اللَّهِ جَمِيعًا أَيُّهَا الْمُؤْمِنُونَ لَعَلَّكُمْ تُفْلِحُونَ

"And tell the believing women to lower their gaze, protect their private parts and not to show off their adornment except only that which is apparent and to draw their veils all over bodies and not to reveal their adornment… And let them not stamp their feet so as to reveal what they hide of their adornment. And all of you beg Allah to forgive you all, O believers, that you may be successful."

[Surah Nur- 24:31]

يَا أَيُّهَا النَّبِيُّ قُل لِّأَزْوَاجِكَ وَبَنَاتِكَ وَنِسَاء الْمُؤْمِنِينَ يُدْنِينَ عَلَيْهِنَّ مِن جَلَابِيبِهِنَّ ذَلِكَ أَدْنَى أَن يُعْرَفْنَ فَلَا يُؤْذَيْنَ وَكَانَ اللَّهُ غَفُورًا رَّحِيمًا

"O Prophet! Tell your wives and your daughters and the women of the believers to draw their cloaks (veils) all over their bodies. That will be better, that they should be known (as free respectable women) so as not to be annoyed. And Allah is Ever Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful."

[al-Ahzab - 33:59]

In these verses both the men and the women are clearly told to lower their gazes without any exception.

It is essential that we fully understand the Shari’ah (Islamic Law) in order to be able to follow it correctly. It is the way of Shaytaan not to stop a person from doing good but to make him think he is doing good when actually what he is doing is totally against the teachings of our Beloved Prophet صلي الله عليه و سلم. Furthermore, when we do a good deed, he makes it his mission to omit that good by making us sin thereafter.

Thus we should see how the companions of the Prophet صلي الله عليه و سلم would seek knowledge and deduce from their actions whether or not it would be permissible to gaze at a Ghair Mahram in order to seek the knowledge of Islam.

‏عن ‏ ‏عائشة ‏ ‏رضي الله عنها ‏ ‏قالت ‏أومت امرأة من وراء ستر بيدها كتاب إلى رسول الله ‏ ‏صلى الله عليه وسلم ‏ ‏فقبض النبي ‏ ‏صلى الله عليه وسلم ‏ ‏يده فقال ما أدري أيد رجل أم يد امرأة قالت بل امرأة قال ‏ ‏لو كنت امرأة لغيرت أظفارك ‏ ‏يعني بالحناء

"It is narrated by Aisha رضي الله عنها that a woman made a sign from behind a curtain to indicate that she had a letter for the Prophet of Allah صلي الله عليه و سلم. The Prophet صلي الله عليه و سلم closed his hand, saying: I do not know whether this is a man's or a woman's hand. She said: No, a woman. He صلي الله عليه و سلم said: If you were a woman, you would make a difference to your nails, meaning with henna."

[Sunan Abi Dawud]

This Hadeeth clearly indicates that even when women approached our Beloved Prophet صلي الله عليه و سلم they did so through a veil or a curtain. There is no doubt in the fact that the companions of the Prophet صلي الله عليه و سلم were amongst the best of creations and there is no question about the innocence and purity of the Prophets عليهم السلام let alone our Beloved Prophet صلي الله عليه و سلم. Despite the ranks of these people we can see that even the Prophet صلي الله عليه و سلم wanted the women to veil from him even if it was regarding Islamic understanding and knowledge, for it was this reason that the companions would approach the Prophet of Allah صلي الله عليه و سلم.

This was also the case when the companions of the Prophet صلي الله عليه و سلم approached the Mothers of all the believers, the wives of the Prophet صلي الله عليه و سلم.

وَإِذَا سَأَلْتُمُوهُنَّ مَتَاعًا فَاسْأَلُوهُنَّ مِنْ وَرَاءِ حِجَابٍ ذَلِكُمْ أَطْهَرُ لِقُلُوبِكُمْ وَقُلُوبِهِنَّ

"And when you ask them (the wives of the Prophet صلي الله عليه و سلم) for anything you want, ask them from behind a veil; this is purer for your hearts and for their hearts."

[Surah al-Ahzab – 33:53]

This is another example where Allah Ta’ala is commanding us to ask for anything from behind a veil, even if it be from the wives of the Beloved Prophet صلي الله عليه و سلم for this is purer for our hearts.

Returning to the original question, we must realise that there is no one purer than the Prophet صلي الله عليه و سلم, his wives and his companions رضي الله عنهم; despite this they were instructed to interact from behind veils and curtains. Therefore, when the matter comes in regards to us it is even more essential to oblige to this order of Allah and be alert when interacting with the opposite gender and Ghair Mahrams.

Seeking knowledge is essential in Islam, but to seek the knowledge of Islam correctly is also as essential. Therefore, we should ensure that we are not misguided into thinking we are receiving rewards by listening to lectures whilst in reality we are going against the core principle taught to us by the Prophet صلي الله اليه و سلم.

Once again, I hope that this answers your question and if there are any further queries or questions please do not hesitate to ask me. I would also advise that the previous question be read so that a full understanding can be gained regarding the issue of television.

May Allah give us all the understanding of Islam and may He give us the courage to endure all the hardships that occur in the effort to seek the knowledge of Islam. May He save us from misunderstandings and deception and the trickery of Shaytaan. Aameen.