Contemporary Fatwas

Is it permissible for women to attend funeral prayers?

The funeral prayer is prescribed for both men and women, based on the Prophet’s (ﷺ) statement: “Whoever prays over a funeral gets one Qirat, and whoever follows it until it is buried gets two Qirats.” It was asked, “O Messenger of Allah, what are the two Qirats?” He replied, “They are like two huge mountains.” (Agreed upon its authenticity).

However, women are not permitted to follow funerals to the cemetery, as they have been prohibited from doing so. This is based on the authentic narration in Sahih al-Bukhari and Sahih Muslim from Umm Atiyyah (may Allah be pleased with her), who said: “We were prohibited from following funerals, but this prohibition was not strictly enforced.” As for praying over the deceased, women are not prohibited from doing so, whether the prayer is held in a mosque, a house, or a prayer ground. Women used to pray over the deceased during the time of the Prophet (ﷺ), with him, and after him.

As for visiting graves, this is specific to men, just as following funerals to the cemetery is. This is because the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) cursed women who visit graves. The wisdom behind this, and Allah knows best, is the fear of the fitnah (temptation/trial) that may arise from women following funerals to the cemetery and visiting graves. This is supported by his (ﷺ) statement: “I have not left behind me after me a trial more harmful to men than women.” (Agreed upon its authenticity). May Allah grant success. (Sheikh Ibn Baz, may Allah have mercy on him).

Is it permissible for the Friday sermon to be delivered in a language other than Arabic?

The correct answer to this issue is that it is not permissible for the Friday sermon to be delivered in a language that the attendees do not understand. If the people are not Arabs and do not know Arabic, then the preacher should deliver the sermon in their language, as this is the means of communication for them. The objective of the sermon is to explain the limits of Allah, the Exalted and Mighty, to the servants, and to admonish and guide them. However, the verses of the Quran must be recited in Arabic, and then interpreted in the language of the people. Evidence that the sermon should be delivered in the language of the people is Allah’s statement: “And We did not send any messenger except in the language of his people, to clarify for them.” (Ibrahim: 4). Thus, Allah, the Exalted, made clear that the means of communication is through the language understood by the addressees.

Expiation for an Oath

A friend of mine frequently swears, both truthfully and falsely, resulting in the deprivation of some people’s rights. What is the Islamic ruling on this? How should one expiate for such oaths?

An oath is a pledge or vow. In the noble Hadith, the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: “Your oath is judged by what your companion believes you to be telling the truth.” This means that when you swear, you should swear in a manner consistent with what your companion believes to be true. If a swearer swears falsely, it may result in the loss of others’ property or the concealment of facts that should have been disclosed. Such an oath falls under the category of “Al-Yamin Al-Ghamus” (the devouring oath), which immerses its swearer in sin and then in the Fire. There is no expiation for it, because it is a major sin that is firmly established. Muslim and At-Tirmidhi narrated from Wail bin Hujr that a man from Hadhramaut and a man from Kindah came to the Prophet (ﷺ). The Hadhrami said, “O Messenger of Allah, this man has taken over land that belonged to my father.” The man from Kindah said, “It is land in my possession that I cultivate; he has no right to it.” The Prophet (ﷺ) asked the Hadhrami, “Do you have any evidence?” He said, “No.” The Prophet (ﷺ) said, “Then you must swear an oath.” The Hadhrami said, “O Messenger of Allah, he is a liar who does not care if he is sworn upon falsely and is not restrained from anything.” The Prophet (ﷺ) said, “You have no right to it except that.” So the man went to swear an oath. When the man insisted, the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said, “If he swears falsely to take someone’s property unjustly, he will meet Allah while He is turned away from him.”

Therefore, every person who swears must strive for truthfulness when taking an oath to avoid falling into what is forbidden. This is supported by Allah’s statement: “O you who believe! Do not consume one another’s wealth unjustly.” (An-Nisa: 29). There is no expiation for Al-Yamin Al-Ghamus other than striving to return the rights to their owners, repenting, feeling remorse, giving charity frequently, and avoiding such behavior in the future. And Allah knows best.