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Host -
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Dear viewers,
The session has just started. You are invited to join us
with your questions.
After the session, you could view the whole dialogue in
the recent sessions.
Yours,
Islamonline Live Dialogue Editing Desk
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| Name |
Madiha - United
Kingdom
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| Profession |
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| Question |
Dear Dr. Sadiq, I am married and have 5 kids. All over
the past years I have been going through a lot of
depression due to the daily pressures and poor family
circumstances. I have tried lots to forget my problems,
but I am always met with failure. I want to start a new
life this Ramadan, but I need some suggestions from you.
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| Answer |
Sister Madiha,
Assalamu`alykum. I am sorry to hear that you have been
suffering from depression for the past years. Generally,
there are always reasons that make a person depressed
and those reasons must be looked at and resolved.
However, since we are talking about the holy month of
Ramadan as an opportunity to begin to solve our
emotional and psychological problems, here is what I
would suggest:
The holy month is an opportunity to strengthen our iman
and our soul. Lots of emotional problems result from a
weak will, a strong nafs and a weak soul. Fasting and
the baraka of the holy month are excellent
opportunities to weaken the nafs, thereby strengthening
the soul and the will. Alhamdullilah, it sounds like you
have made a decision to start a new life this Ramadan.
Through fasting and receiving the barakas of the
months, look at the possible reasons that may be causing
your depression. You should be able to do this more
calmly during the fasting month with a lot of patience.
It is important that the factors causing depression are
problem dealt with; and you should be able to do this
with a stronger will and weaker nafs. I hope this helps.
May Allah SWT bless you with the nur and the barakas
of the months and help you resolve your family problems.
If I could be of any further assistance, please do not
hesitate to write back, or e-mail me at drsadiq@shaw.ca |
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Unknown -
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| Question |
I have a question, but I really feel sorrow writing it
online, but I didn't want to miss your suggestions as a
certified counselor who can help me through the way. I
committed zina a month ago, and I am absolutely
depressed and don't know what to do in Ramadan. I don't
feel like fasting. I feel like killing myself. Please
help …help….help.
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| Answer |
Dear brother in Islam,
I am happy to hear about your remorse and depression
over the transgression you committed. Feeling remorse
after disobeying Allah SWT is a strong sign of iman. I
want you to remember that to err is human, and even the
companions of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon
him) had made such errors. I also want you to remember
that Allah's SWT mercy has no bounds. With your remorse
and sincere repentance, Allah SWT has promised to
forgive all sins – minor or major. I therefore suggest
that you pray two rak'ahs with the intention of
making tawbah, remorsefully and sincerely beg
Allah SWT for His forgiveness, and be thankful that
Allah SWT has granted you this holy month to continue to
strengthen your iman and your soul and to be strong
enough in the future not to disobey Him. Do not allow
Shaitan to make you depressed and worried so much that
you lose the blessings and the forgiveness of Allah that
are rampant in this month.
May Allah SWT give you strength and courage to be His
obedience servant in your future life.
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| Name |
fawad imam
- Pakistan
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| Profession |
student |
| Question |
In Ramadan in iftar or suhur times when we switch on to
televsion to see the Adhan or ending time of sehri or
iftar . I am talking of places where mosques are far the
Adhan is hard to hear. While watching the Adhan on
television they show advertisments with music and women
.Does this thing affect our roza (fast)?
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| Answer |
Dear brother Fawad,
Here is a simple solution to your problem. The best
thing to do is not to turn on the TV, obtain a calendar
for suhur and future time for the month, and make
adhan in your home yourself. This would save you from
looking at the advertisements on the TV as well as, with
the sound of adhan, will drive shaitan away from your
home.
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| Name |
Mo'min - United
States
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| Question |
How can family resolve problems in Ramadan? I don't
think if there is a real problem it could be solved in
any time. Can you clarify how people can resolve their
problems?
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| Answer |
Brother Mo'min, indeed problems can be resolved anytime
during the year. The benefits of this holy month are:
1. Due to fasting, nafs and the ego are weaker.
2. There is less interference from Shaitan.
3. Iman is generally stronger.
4. Hearts become softer.
As result, people are more willing to be kind and
considerate to each other, more willing to forgive each
other, and more willing to make peace. On top, with the
sincere attempt made to resolve the problems, Allah
SWT's help and mercy are more readily available during
this month. I hope this explains to you how this blessed
month is an opportune time to resolve these types of
problems.
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| Name |
Daniel - United
States
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| Question |
Dr. Sadiq, as-Salamu'alaykum! I have suffered from
depression for most of my life (since I was three years
old) and it has gotten to the point that it is just how
I expect to be, even though I've begun hurting myself.
My depression has negatively affected not only my life,
but has hurt those around me. I am on medicine to treat
my condition, but it does not seem to help. What advice
or help can you give me? Thanks.
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| Answer |
Daniel, wa `alaykum as-Salamu warahmatullah.
It sounds like depression has been a life long problem
for you. I am sure that you have been receiving help for
it all along. Has a proper assessment been made for your
depression? I need to know a whole bunch of things from
you about your life so far and your current
circumstances before I can give you sound advice.
However, this blessed month may be a good time to turn
things around. You know that things that appear to be
beyond our control, are not beyond the control of Allah
SWT. He can change in a blink what we have not been able
to change in years. So, make good use of this blessed
month. Spend you time in prayer, recitation of the holy
Qur'an and supplications, and have faith in Allah's
powers to change things for you.
If you like to give me further details of your illness,
write to me at drsadiq@shaw.ca
I pray for your well being. May Allah grant you
strength, courage and patience.
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| Name |
rasheed - Saudi
Arabia
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| Question |
last year i paid zakah for $2000. this year i 've $4000
ie last year $2000 plus this year $2000. for how much
amount i should pay zakah. |
| Answer |
Editor:
We are sorry brother Rasheed for not answering your
question. This is not the place we deal with fiqhi
questions. Please resubmit your question to Ask the
Scholar page:
http://islamonline.net/fatwaapplication/english/fatwaquestion.asp
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| Name |
Hadiqa -
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| Profession |
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| Question |
As-Salamu `Alaykum, I am 36 years old and have been
trying to get married for a long time. So far no luck.
This has resulted in feelings of depression, low self
esteem and lots of other psychological issues. I have
met someone really nice online - he's quite decent and
we're trying to get to know each other better. My
problem is that I feel scared that it won't work, he'll
choose someone else who lives closer to him, he'll leave
me. I know all of these problems aren't logical but I
can't help feeling this way. I would like to know if
there are any du`as I can recite this Ramadan or
do anything to strengthen my faith and sort these
psychosomatic issues out.
Thank you for your help and anyone reading this, pray
for me!!!
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| Answer |
Sister Hadiqa, wa `alaykum as-Salamu warahmatullah.
There are things that we control and then there are
those things that are totally beyond our control. Is
finding someone to get married totally in your control?
Obviously not. It is for all such things that are beyond
our control that we turn to Allah SWT for help. Shaitan
leads us to give up hope so that we would not turn to
Allah SWT. Don't allow yourself to be led by the devil.
Have faith in Allah SWT, and know that there is always a
time for everything. Nothing happens before it is
destined. Have patience, and turn to Allah SWT in this
blessed month for help, forgiveness and patience. Focus
your attention more and make an effort in the areas
which you have control over, and leave the rest upon
Allah SWT. The less you are worried and pre-occupied
with your marriage, the better you would feel about
yourself. I pray for your well being.
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| Name |
Mido - United
Kingdom
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| Profession |
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| Question |
As-Salamu`alaykum, I have a problem which might sound
silly to some people. I have always dreamed of joining
the mujahideen and hopefully dying as a martyr, but I
cannot obtain my parents permission so I cannot do so.
The point is that my parents want me to get married, and
I think I should as well, but I am reluctant to do so as
I feel that after marriage, due to the responsibilities
with looking after and loving a wife, my zeal for Jihad
and helping my opressed brothers & sisters might
diminish. I would be most grateful if you could give me
some advice on this matter. |
| Answer |
Brother Mido, wa `alaykum as-Salamu warahmatullah.
I admire your desire to join the mujahideen to help the
oppressed brothers and sisters around the world, and die
as a martyr. I also admire your sense of respect and
loyalty to your parents' desires and wishes for you.
I am sure you know that there are several types of
Jihad. One is what you wish to engage in. Another is to
serve your parents while they need you. Another is to
battle against the undue desires and impulses of your
nafs.
Once a young man came to the Prophet (peace and
blessings be upon him) and asked for his permission to
join the mujahideen. The Prophet (peace and blessings be
upon him) asked him, "are your parents alive?"
He said yes. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon
him) admonished him to go and serve his parents.
On another occasion, while returning home from a
battlefield, the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon
him) has been reported as saying, "we are returning
to a greater jihad from a smaller one," meaning
that the battle with one's own nafs is a constant and on
going battle.
Once A'isha (may Allah be pleased with her) asked the
Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him), "Can
someone acquire the status of a martyr without being
killed in a battlefield?" The Prophet (peace and
blessings be upon him) responded, "Yes, one who
remembers his death twenty (or twenty five) times a day
may acquire the status of a martyr."
So, my dear brother, don't despair. If Allah wills for
you to join the mujahideen one day, He would make ways
for you to do it. Meanwhile, you have lots of other
jihads at hand; so get busy with your battles.
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| Name |
Haruuna - Nigeria
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| Profession |
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| Question |
Assalamu
Alaykum Warahamatulah,
Please if i have a brother who died and he has not got
marrige. He has his father and mother a live who will
inheried his proparties, and how it will be distributed.
Ma'asalam |
| Answer |
Editor:
We are sorry brother Rasheed for not answering your
question. This is not the place we deal with fiqhi
questions. Please resubmit your question to Ask the
Scholar page:
http://islamonline.net/fatwaapplication/english/fatwaquestion.asp
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| Name |
umashraf
- Jordan
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| Profession |
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| Question |
As-Salamu`alykum, Iam married for 28 years,
alhamdulillah after a lot of ups and downs,we found our
way to Islam. Now it was a big change for the
children(4) getting involved a lot with Islam I
understand many things a lot different than before. My
problem are my children they are not as convinced as I
am and think that I am afraid of their father and blame
their father for everything. Whenever I try to make them
understand they say that I am defending him. I find
myself in a position to having to explain myself to them
all the time, as if they would educate me and not me
them.What should I do?
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| Answer |
Sister Umasharf, wa `alaykum as-Salamu warahmatullah.
The best way to educate and train the children in any
faith is to become a living model of it in your daily
life. Learn and practice Islam in your daily life as
best as you can. This holy month provides ample
opportunity to be a good role model for your children.
Another important thing is for you and your husband to
have a common understanding of the principles of Islam,
and for both of you to practice it together. Again, the
month of Ramadan is a good opportunity to do so. Lastly,
do not get into arguments with your children about the
faith. Encourage questions, and provide simple to
understand answers. If they do not accept, let it go.
Keep practicing the faith yourselves, and you would
notice that your sincerity with Allah SWT will
insha'Allah spread into the hearts of your children
sooner or later.
May Allah give you strength and courage!
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| Name |
sally - Egypt
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| Profession |
dentist |
| Question |
As-Salamu`alaykum Dr. Muhammad,I wanted to ask you how
can I get rid of waswasa. I pray and read Adhkar
every day but it sticks to me whenever I pray to ask
Allah for something I need! It starts to whisper to me
that I don't deserve from Allah to help me or fulfill my
hopes and it makes me always feel guilty ,and sometimes
it makes me feel as if I prayed a bad du`a' for
example (for some people whom I love very much to die)!
I can't concentrate each time I pray or ask Allah His
forgiveness or any thing else. Thank you so much,jazakum
Allah khairab.
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| Answer |
Sister Sally, wa `alaykum as-Salamu warahmatullah.
I will tell you the best way to get rid of the waswasa
- IGNORE THEM.
None of us are free of waswasa. One of the
characteristics of waswasa from Shaitan is that
the more you pay attention to it, the more bothersome
and strong it becomes. The more you ignore it, the less
it bothers you.
You do believe that Allah SWT will not hold you
accountable for your waswasa. You also do believe
that He is most merciful and kind. So then, whenever you
are praying, reciting the holy Qur'an or making
supplications, ignore the waswasa. When they
come, just bring your attention back to your ibadah.
Keep doing it and have faith that Allah SWT is rewarding
you for your Jihad with Shaitan.
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| Name |
Luqman - Canada
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| Profession |
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| Question |
Please, I need your help. I have a problem with my
parents because I married a committed Muslim girl who is
not my relative, while my parents wanted me to marry my
relative. Every Ramadan, I invite them over on Iftar but
they always refuse. My wife buys them gifts on Eid and
they return them back. I really don't enjoy Ramadan when
I have this kind of treatment from my parents. Can you
give me some tips on how to solve this problem?
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| Answer |
Dear Luqman,
Don't make your parents' problems yours. Continue to be
respectful and kind with them despite the fact that they
are not accepting it. In this blessed month, send them a
note asking for their forgiveness for the sake of Allah
and this blessed month. Forgive them yourself, and pray
to Allah to clear their hearts from anger and
disappointments towards you.
I pray for you and your parents.
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| Name |
fatima -
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| Profession |
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| Question |
As-Salamu `alykum,
My question is that someone I know suffers from a phobia
of thunder and lightning and gets really scared even
when it gets slightly cloudy. I was wondering if there
are any du`a or procedures she can do to cure
herself. There aren't any counselors or reputable
psychologists where we live. Thank you for your help and
may you have a prosperous Ramadan.
|
| Answer |
Sister Fatima, wa `alaykum as-Salamu warahmatullah.
Phobias are treatable. Yes, there are procedures to cure
them. But, they are long and take time. The best thing
to do is to write to me at drsadiq@shaw.ca later and I
would Insha Allah help you tackle these fears.
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| Name |
birgit - Germany
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| Profession |
housewife |
| Question |
How can I get more confidence in discussion of religious
questions with my husband. I like to be on a
middle-course he is more uncompromising.
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| Answer |
Sister Birgit,
Proper Islamic education for both of you is the way to
solve your problem. I suggest not to discuss religion
with him. Instead, study the principles of Islam jointly
at home and through your local Imams and masajid.
Insha'Allah, it would help.
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| Name |
Iman -
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| Profession |
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| Question |
Yesterday I had something that had alcohol in it by
mistake - I found out half way through the meal and I
had something in my mouth so I finished eating it rather
than throw it out. Now I feel so guilty and scared that
my fasting won't be accepted. Help! |
| Answer |
Sister
Iman,
May Allah reward you for your sensitivity about
committing a sin even unintentionally. Dear sister,
Allah SWT does not hold you accountable for
unintentional transgressions. Have faith in Allah's
mercey. He is most forgiving and kind.
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| Name |
Abu Anas
- Malaysia
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| Profession |
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| Question |
As-Salamu'alaykum, how to finish reading the whole Al-Quran
in this Ramadan?
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| Answer |
Abu Anas, wa `alaykum as-Salamu warahmatullah.
One of the ways is to attend the taraweeh prayers
every night where the holy Qur'an is recited from
beginning to the end during the month. That way, at
least you can hear it all from the beginning to the end.
Secondly, if you recite one Juz' everyday of the holy
month, you will Insha'Allah finish it by the end of the
month. This is what I do. Start on the first evening of
the holy month, Insha'Allah.
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| Name |
Muslimah
- United States
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| Profession |
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| Question |
Wow, just yesterday I mentioned that I was going to use
Ramadan to help me with my anxiety and depression! I
have been suffering from anxiety, panic attacks, and
have developed some phobias since stopping my medication
(that I was prescribed for "major depression")
several years ago. The medication did not help, and I
saw tons of physicians and experts and they emphasized
medication more than psycho-therapy, and my anxiety was
never addressed in any therapy. Now, I still have it,
and its getting worse. I know that the Quran is a
healing for whatever ails the heart, and I understand
Qadr, and all of the Islamic philisophical ideas-- I
just have a problem connecting my "logical"
brain to my "illogical" brain. I have found
that cutting out caffiene and exercising daily helps.
I'm also trying to incrase my vitaminE intake, and
improve my diet all around. However, I still have
problems dealing with irrational fears. How can I use
Ramadan to help with that?
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| Answer |
Dear sister,
Ramadan is a month that is especially helpful in
strengthening our Iman. All fears and irrational
thoughts are put in your mind by shaitan, and shayateen
are locked up during this blessed month. Thus, an
opportune time for you to overcome these irrational
fears by strengthening your Iman and faith in Allah SWT
the key being the knowledge that nothing may harm or
benefit you without the will of Allah SWT. Just that bit
of Iman, if you acquired it, would be sufficient in
helping you get rid of your fears.
About phobias. They are treatable. If you still have
them, write to me at drsadiq@shaw.ca later and I would
Insha Allah assit you in tackling them.
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| Name |
Bill -
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| Profession |
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| Question |
What does your religion endorse murder? If it does not
endorse it, then why isn't a stronger stance taken
against those members of your religion that teach
CHILDREN to hate and murder?
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| Answer |
Bill, May you have peace.
Obviously, you do not have proper knowledge of Islam.
Islam does not teach hate, murder, and oppression.
People learn it from each other and do these things out
of desperation.
Does your religion (whatever it is that you believe in)
teach hate, murder, and oppression? If not, why are
people of your religion engaged into such activity
around the world?
Hope you understand what I am trying to say.
Peace and Love
Dr. Sadiq |
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| Name |
Muslim woman
- United States
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| Profession |
|
| Question |
As-Salamu `Alaykum, don't you think that the day in
which we live is reason enough for depression? Shouldn't
we be depressed as an acurate indicator to our
environment? What do you think? As-Salamu`alaykum.
|
| Answer |
Sister,
People may always find reasons to be depressed. I think
it is a matter of human perception and belief.
If I believe that things are beyond help, out of
control, and therefore life is not worth living, I would
get depressed. On the other hand, if I believe that
there is a God who has everything under His control,
that there is always hope, that I am required only to do
my best to keep my life in order and leave the rest to
Allah SWT, I will not be that depressed.
Hope this helps.
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| Name |
Editor -
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| Profession |
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| Answer |
Finally, we would like to thank our guest for speaking
to IslamOnline viewers today, and we also thank all
those who participated in this dialogue. We apologize
for not being able to accommodate all the questions
within the time allocated to this session. We request
our readers to join us in the upcoming sessions.
Yours,
Islamonline Live Dialogue Editing Desk
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