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If your Masjid is closed due to the Corona Virus; please do the following at home:

1. Announce the Athaan.
2. Pray the Salaah as soon as the it’s time begins. Do not make a habit of delaying it.
3. Pray in congregation with the members of the household, even if it just you and your wife & announce the Iqaamah.
4. Pray the 12 Sunnah Salaah attached to every obligatory Salaah.
5. Recite the supplications after every Salaah as found in the sunnah.

Your brother,
Sajid Umar.

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Assalamualaikum everyone. Here is a dua to pass onto those contemplating converting to Islam. It is even good for born Muslims too…

…

In the name of God the Merciful,

In the name of God the Guide,

In the name of God the Mighty,

In the name of God the One, the Invincible,

In the name of God, the Lord of all things and the King,

I bear witness that there is no one worthy of worship besides You,

Glory be to You; I am one of the oppressors.

O Allah, O Lord of this heart, and its Owner and its King…
guide this heart, for none can truly guide it besides you, there is no god other than You.

O God, I am from your creation, do not deprive us of your blessings,

please guide me, and set my heart upon your obedience, and bring us out of the darkness to the light, guide me to the true religion, for no one can truly guide anyone besides You. In You do I seek assistance, and in you do I place my trust, and to you does everything return back to.

O God, guide me, O King and Owner of everything, O one who is all capable over all things,

Glory be to You, there is no one worthy of worship besides You.

Since the last few months I have been kept busy with questions about cryptocurrencies in general and Bitcoin in particular.

The correspondence regarding this matter was further hiked with the passing of a few fatwas concerning these currencies with a strong airing of these currencies being forbidden (Haraam).

Furthermore, some of you came across a couple of twitter posts of mine related to Bitcoin, and an understanding in some circles was formulated stating that I have passed a fatwa stating it to be permissible (halal).

Given the sensitive nature of the topic and its questions; I quickly share the following points with the objective of covering the answers to the questions being asked.

Disclaimer: This is not an article nor a detailed response, but rather a guidance piece.

1. Irrespective of any private advice I have provided regarding Bitcoin; I have not passed a fatwa stating that Bitcoin is in and of itself forbidden, or that buying/selling is impermissible if done within the framework of Islamic Transactions from an Islamic Fiqh perspective. It is also true that I have refrained from publicly sharing my view in a particular way, and this is due to the sensitive nature of cryptocurrencies generally and Bitcoin specifically, and the fact that more time, research and deliberation regarding the topic are required before an absolute view can be taken by the scholarly fraternity generally and myself specifically. There are also many technicalities regarding its trade as well which Islamic ‘Fiqh’ would look at independently, and this conservatism is a natural consequence of any new matter that is considered as established or unestablished in a relative way. The Islamic jurisprudence framework pertaining to Bitcoin and it’s exchange will be looked at and refined over time which will have a bearing on any fatwa considerations naturally, highlighting how difficult it is to develop a well rounded conclusive fatwa at this moment in time.

As a result, and learning from some of the scholars of who have specialised in economics, trade and transactions, we find a few thoughts being floated regarding Islam’s possible position on Bitcoin specifically, which are as follows:

Firstly: Regarding its reality:

a) Some have opined that Bitcoin is a  currency, despite not meeting the extent of what constitutes a currency from an Islamic Jursiprudence perspective. This view is based on Bitcoin’s reason of creation and it’s objectives.

b) Some have opined that it is a type of product  due to it not meeting the extent of what constitutes a currency from an Islamic Jursiprudence perspective, and since matters are judged based on their actual reality, calling it a currency does not create any binding considerations accordingly.

c) Some have taken the view that Bitcoin isn’t a currency nor is a type of product.

d) Some have chosen to abstain from weighing into the discussion at this point in time due to having insufficient reason to justify holding an opinion concerning this specific matter.

Secondly: Regarding trading in Bitcoin

a) Some have opined that it is Islamically permissible to trade in Bitcoin due to it being a form of currency or product. However, upon the view of it being a currency, the rules of Riba apply to the trade particulars of all related transactions accordingly.

b) Others have opined that is is Islamically impermisisble to trade in Bitcoin

c) A third view which follows the lines of the first view, but states that during ‘bubble’ periods it would not be permissible to purchase Bitcoin due to its volatility. The addendum listed in this third view is something I voiced on my social media channels during Bitcoin’s period of inflation, which I believe some understood to be an expression of an absolute ‘fiqhi’ conclusion of permissibility regarding Bitcoin held by me.

2. I respect the fatwa of the scholars and duaat who have come out stating the purchase/sale of the currency to be impermissible, and believe they have made some valid points in their reasoning. That said; I also disagree with some of the reasonings offered in substantiation of their concluded views, and my agreement and disagreement with them in these matters is part of a natural discourse with regards to matters of this nature.

Continue Reading…

Assalamualaikum everyone. Many are asking about the latest pictures related to the Imams leading the salah from the mihraab of the Messenger (saw) in the rawdhah in Masjid Nabawi.

Upon further checking; it is reported that this will be the new system for the prayers in Masjid anNabawi after a successful trial of it. The reasoning shared for this new system is to facilitate better the movement of those wishing to pass through the graves of the Messenger (SAW) and his companions (RA), especially after each prayer, and especially since the Kingdom is working towards increasing the amount of visitors attending the Hajj and umrah in 2018 and the years thereafter.

Should there be any further updates; I will endeavour to update you all accordingly.

And Allah knows best.

Your brother
Sajid Umar