What is the response to those who say that they perform condolence rituals intending it as a custom rather than an act of worship?
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The questioner : Is it permissible for a woman to lead other women in prayer?
The Shaykh : Yes, it is permissible for women to pray in congregation, but is this a recommended practice (sunnah) for them or merely permissible? Some scholars believe it is a recommended practice, while others say it is merely permissible. The closer view is that it is merely permissible, because the Sunnah is not explicit on this matter. So if they establish the prayer in congregation, there is nothing wrong with it. And if they do not establish the prayer in congregation, they are not among those who pray in congregation.
The questioner : What is the ruling on Hajj for a man who has a debt?
The Shaykh : If a person has a debt, Hajj is not obligatory for him. And if it is not obligatory, then reason and intellect dictate that the obligatory matter, which is the debt, should be prioritized. So we say: Pay your debt first, then perform Hajj. And if you die in this state, there is no sin upon you.
The questioner : What if he seeks the permission of the creditor?
The Shaykh : Even if he seeks the permission of the creditor, because the creditor will demand it from him. The most that can happen is that the creditor permits him to perform Hajj first. So we say: If he permits you, what is the issue? The prohibition of leaving for Hajj is for the right of the creditor. The issue is clearing one's conscience before performing Hajj.
The questioner : O Shaykh, regarding the issue of condolence and gathering for it, some people, if we speak to them about this, say: We do this and we do not intend it as an act of worship, but rather as a custom. What is the response to them?
The Shaykh : The answer to this is that offering condolences is a recommended practice (sunnah) of worship. Offering condolences is an act of worship. So if the act of worship is formulated in this manner that was not known in the time of
the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him), it becomes a religious innovation (bid'ah). Do you understand?
The questioner : Yes.
The Shaykh : For this reason, the reward was mentioned for the virtue of one who offers condolences, and reward is only for acts of worship.
The Shaykh : Yes, it is permissible for women to pray in congregation, but is this a recommended practice (sunnah) for them or merely permissible? Some scholars believe it is a recommended practice, while others say it is merely permissible. The closer view is that it is merely permissible, because the Sunnah is not explicit on this matter. So if they establish the prayer in congregation, there is nothing wrong with it. And if they do not establish the prayer in congregation, they are not among those who pray in congregation.
The questioner : What is the ruling on Hajj for a man who has a debt?
The Shaykh : If a person has a debt, Hajj is not obligatory for him. And if it is not obligatory, then reason and intellect dictate that the obligatory matter, which is the debt, should be prioritized. So we say: Pay your debt first, then perform Hajj. And if you die in this state, there is no sin upon you.
The questioner : What if he seeks the permission of the creditor?
The Shaykh : Even if he seeks the permission of the creditor, because the creditor will demand it from him. The most that can happen is that the creditor permits him to perform Hajj first. So we say: If he permits you, what is the issue? The prohibition of leaving for Hajj is for the right of the creditor. The issue is clearing one's conscience before performing Hajj.
The questioner : O Shaykh, regarding the issue of condolence and gathering for it, some people, if we speak to them about this, say: We do this and we do not intend it as an act of worship, but rather as a custom. What is the response to them?
The Shaykh : The answer to this is that offering condolences is a recommended practice (sunnah) of worship. Offering condolences is an act of worship. So if the act of worship is formulated in this manner that was not known in the time of
the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him), it becomes a religious innovation (bid'ah). Do you understand?
The questioner : Yes.
The Shaykh : For this reason, the reward was mentioned for the virtue of one who offers condolences, and reward is only for acts of worship.