The Seal Of Prophethood Of Nabi SAW - 203

Rumaythah RA said:

"I heard this subject from Rasullullah (SAW) and at that time I was so near him, that if I wanted to, I could have kissed the Seal of Prophethood." That subject is: 'Rasullullah (SAW) was talking about Sa'ad bin Mu'aadh (RA), that because of Sa'ad's death, the Arsh (Throne) of Allah also started to sway in happiness'."


COMMENTARY

There is a disagreement regarding the swinging of the Arsh.

What is the reason and what does it mean?

The above translation is in accordance with well-known sayings. Some are of the opinion that this refers to the People of the Arsh. Some are of the opinion that it is the Takht (Throne) of Sa'd bin Mu'adh RA.

As a quick background, Sa'ad bin Mu'adh RA is from among the eminent Sahabah RA. In the books of hadith many of his merits have been mentioned. Before the Hijrah, Rasullullah SAW sent Mu'adh bin Umayr RA to Madinah to teach and propagate Islam. Sa'ad bin Mu'adh RA accepted Islam at his hands. Sa'ad RA was leader of his community and as a result, his whole family accepted Islam on the same day. This was the first family in Madinah who accepted Islaam.

Sa'ad bin Mu'adh RA passed away at the age of 37 in the fifth year Hijri. 70,000 malaa'ikahs (angels) attended his janazah solat. With all this however, it appears from another Hadith also that he (RA) also went through some hardship for a while in the grave.

We should all take heed.

A person should not be lax in this matter, and should always remember Allah, repent and fear the punishment of the grave. Whenever Uthman RA passed a grave, he used to weep till his beard became drenched with tears.

Someone asked him:

"Jannah and Jahannam are also discussed, but at that time you do not weep?"

He replied:

I heard Rasullullah (SAW) say:

"The grave is the first stage of the Akhirah (Hereafter); whoever goes through this easily, all the other stages become easy. And for whom this stage is difficult, all the other stages become more difficult".

Uthman RA also said:

"I also heard Rasullullah (SAW) say:

"Of all the scenes of the Akhirah that I have seen, the one of Qabr (grave) is the most difficult."

The Hair and Beard Of The Prophet Muhammad SAW

Rasulullah SAW kept a full beard which covered the above portion of his chest. There are three narrations regarding the size of his hair: a) Till the ears, b) below the ears, c) till the neck (shoulders).

All three narrations are correct as hair continuously grows. (Shamaail Tirmidhi)

The Ruling Of The Beard 101

All of the Traditional Schools of The Ahlus Sunnah Wal Jamaah say that growing the beard is Waajib (compulsory) for all males Muslims.

The beard should be grown to a fist length at least, as this was the minimum length of Rasulullah SAW's beard when he (SAW) trimmed it.

Without any valid Sharée excuse - to cut or shave the beard is Haraam (prohibited). He who does so is a Faasiq (sinful Muslim) and to shorten it less than a fist length is Makruh (undesirable), whilst other scholars go to define the ruling to the extent of Makruh Tahrimi (undesirability which is near to Haraam).

It must be marked here that the sin of not having a beard is not like that of most sins, as the sin of not having a beard is continuous i.e. for every second a person is in the state contrary to the physical looks attributed to Rasulullah SAW and his Companions RA; the Tabi'in RA and the Tabi-Tabi'in RA - he is in sin.

It would be a great calamity to die clean-shaven. We do not know when we will die, and the beard is the only Sunnah which a Muslim literally carries with him into his grave.

Ear Rings

Muslim males should not wear ear rings at all. Wearing ear rings is forbidden for Muslim males for two reasons:

Firstly, wearing ear rings has been generally a female custom and Muslim males should not imitate the females in their dress, walk and talk, just as Muslim females should not imitate the males.

The Prophet SAW cursed those men who imitate women and those women who imitate men. (Bukhari, Muslim)

Secondly, it is a known fact that the men who wear ear rings, especially in this day and age are generally people with queer character. The wearing of ear rings are often associated with homosexuals and morally perverse people.

No doubt that there are men who are with good morals but still wear ear rings. However, Muslims should try to resemble good, pious and righteous people. We must inform our youth who may become attracted to wear ear rings that this is against the teachings of Islam.

Removing The Beard To Get A Job

QUESTION:

"Is it permissible to remove or trim the beard in preparation for a job interview? I do not want to keep my beard for fear of losing a good job opportunity. I know that the requirements of all mazhabs of the Ahlus Sunnah Wal Jamaah is at least a fist's length. Please advice."

ANSWER:
Many traditional scholars of Islam are well travelled to many parts of the world, and thus are well aware of the situation in those places.

Many individuals who have been turned down for having long beards, but by the grace of Allah, were later given better employment with their beards.

Infact, let us be aware too that there are also those without beards who still fail in interviews.

Let us adhere to the Sunnah and place our trust in Allah, and not be influenced by the tricks of Syaitaan.

Allah SWT is the Controller and Sustainer of everything.