Question and Answer Session – Shaykh Muḥammad al-Hājirī

Selected Legal and Social Rulings from a Question-and-Answer Session with Shaykh Muḥammad ibn Ramzān al-Ḥājirī (ḥafiẓahu Allāh)

1. The Permissibility of Women Teaching Other Women

Question

A questioner from Azerbaijan asked about students of knowledge who claim that it is impermissible for women to teach other women.

Answer

The Shaykh replied that ʿĀʾishah bint Abī Bakr (رضي الله عنها), the wife of the Messenger of Allah ﷺ and the Mother of the Believers, used to teach women and answer their questions.

She would respond to enquiries concerning matters of purification, including menstruation. On one occasion, a woman asked her about menstrual issues, and ʿĀʾishah (رضي الله عنها) asked her:

“Are you currently menstruating?”

When the woman replied in the negative, ʿĀʾishah stated that they had been commanded to ask and seek clarification regarding such matters.

The Shaykh explained that this practice constitutes clear evidence for the permissibility of women teaching other women, particularly in matters relating to religious rulings and personal issues.

2. Raising One’s Voice in Prayer When Praying Alone

Question

If a person prays alone, should he raise his voice during recitation, takbīr, and taslīm?

Answer

The Shaykh replied:

In prayers that are performed silently (ṣalāh sirriyyah), one should not raise the voice. In prayers that are recited aloud (ṣalāh jahrīyyah), one should raise the voice sufficiently so that he can hear himself.

3. Custody of Children After Separation

Question

At what age is it permissible for a father to take custody of a child from the mother?

Answer

The Shaykh stated that such matters require detailed consideration and are often subject to dispute. Therefore, they should be referred to Islamic courts, as only a judge can assess the relevant circumstances and issue an appropriate ruling.

4. Lineage of a Child Born from Adultery

Question

Can a child born from adultery (zināʾ) be ascribed to the biological father?

Answer

The Shaykh replied that the child born from zināʾ is ascribed to the mother.

5. Combining Prayers Due to Rain When Praying Alone

Question

Is it permissible for a person praying alone, outside the mosque, to combine prayers due to rainfall?

Answer

The Shaykh replied that such a person should pray each prayer at its appointed time. As for combining prayers due to rain, this concession applies in situations such as attending congregational prayer, including in places such as mosques. It may also apply in other circumstances, such as at home, when valid hardship exists.

6. A Marital Dispute Concerning Financial Support

Question

A woman living in Saudi Arabia with her husband and five children reported that her husband does not provide financial support, does not allow her to visit her family, is unemployed, and does not seek employment. She asked for advice.

Answer

The Shaykh advised both spouses to enjoin one another to righteousness and piety (al-amr bi-l-maʿrūf wa-l-taqwā), and not to allow worldly life (al-dunyā) to become their primary concern.

He emphasised that both spouses must fear Allah ﷻ in their dealings with one another. The husband must fear Allah ﷻ regarding his responsibilities towards his wife, and the wife must fear Allah ﷻ in her conduct towards her husband and in supporting him appropriately.

7. Custody in the Case of Imprisonment and Intended Migration

Question

A woman asked about her situation. She was married to a man who wished to perform hijrah, while she had children from a previous marriage, and the children’s father was imprisoned. She asked whether she could take the children with her.

Answer

The Shaykh replied that such matters require detailed investigation, including the ages of the children and other relevant circumstances. These issues cannot be resolved through a general response and must be referred to an Islamic court for judicial assessment.

8. Marrying a Man Who Is a Ṣūfī Due to Good Character

Question

A woman asked whether it is permissible for her to marry a man who follows Ṣūfī practices because he possesses good manners.

Answer

The Shaykh replied that even some Jews and Christians display good manners. However, a Ṣūfī is a Muslim and is therefore different from non-Muslims.

Nevertheless, the best of all people is the one who adheres to the Sunnah. A Sunni Muslim who follows the prophetic methodology is superior in this regard.

He advised her to marry someone who is firmly upon the Sunnah and supplicated to Allah ﷻ to grant her a righteous husband who adheres to prophetic guidance.