Merit of Morals

A compiled fatwas of Shaikh Salih Al-Munajid in one book under the title of “Honoring Parents”.

A fatwa translated into English in which Sh. Muhammad ibn Saleh Al-Utheimin answers the following question, "She says: I want to become Muslim, but my family gather to celebrate Christmas, and I want to go and greet them. This is not with the intention of celebrating or joining in, but simply to make the most of the opportunity of my relatives getting together. Is this allowed?

A fatwa translated into English in which Sh. Muhammad Saleh Al-Munajjed answers the following question, "Can a person go for Hajj without his parents’ permission and will his Hajj be valid? Can he go out to seek knowledge? Will they be sinners if they stop him?"

A fatwa in English in which Sh. Muhammad Saleh Al-Munajjed (may Allah preserve him) answers the following question, "I am 12 years old and I live with an atheist father and a Christian mother. I embraced Islam recently, but my parents did not welcome my embracing Islam. Even worse than that: they stopped me from reading Quran, going to Islamic websites, telling people that I am Muslim and meeting Muslims, whether on the Internet or in real life. They also prevent me from wearing modest clothing, and many other things. The reason for that is stupid and irrational Islamophobia. I have tried to show them what Islam really is, but nothing I say or do can change their minds. In fact, they are now trying to show me how they despise Islam in all their words and deeds, such as making stupid jokes about terrorism and even reviling Allah and His Messenger in the most offensive words. The problem is getting worse, because as I am still young, I cannot do anything without my father's help. For example, there is no Islamic clothing available for sale here, because there are so few Muslims. Hence I have no choice but to buy hijab through the Internet, and I need to use their credit cards in order to make the purchase. I am also studying in a Christian school and I need their help to change schools, as I cannot do that myself. They do not let me leave the house on my own, hence I need them to take me to the mosque… and so on. Because they do not agree, this means that I am not able to follow the religion completely. They also force me to do things that are contrary to Islam, such as going to the church, dancing, and wearing clothes that leave my arms, legs and head partially or completely naked. I am worried about this situation, because the Quran enjoins us to obey and to respect our parents and treat them kindly, but it does not show any compromise when it has to do with those who hate Islam. I do not know what to do. If I obey my parents, I will be doing a lot of things that are contrary to Islam. If I respect them, I will be respecting people who do not respect me as a Muslim, and I will be leaving them to say those terrible things about Islam. But if I do not obey them and respect them, then I will be doing something terrible from an Islamic point of view. I believe that both actions are wrong. What should I do?"

A fatwa in English in which Sh. Muhammad Saleh Al-Munajjed (may Allah preserve him) answers the following question, "I would be grateful if you answer my problem. My 16 years old female cousin lives currently in the US with her parents & older brother. As due to the country's law no one can hurt her, but her family is planning to go to their homeland for a visit and she is sure that her father will hit her & her mother, as he did before, or marry her of without her consent. Her father's side of the family will do nothing & her brother joins in hitting her. I or my family can do nothing to stop this. She is so sure that they will abuse her that she plans to runaway prior to their departure, live with a female friend & never return. I told her that this is against our religion but she is willing to take the risk of living on the street than being alone with her father. If I tell my family she will never trust me. Only you can tell me what a Muslim girl is to do. Please reply before it is too late."

A fatwa in English in which Sh. Muhammad Saleh Al-Munajjed (may Allah preserve him) answers the following question, "I have proposed to a girl who is studying with me in college. I have completed my studies, and I am now saving up by Allah's grace so that I can get married, but she is still studying. We agreed that she would put on niqab after we got married, but there is a great deal of harassment for any manifestation of commitment to Islam. They harass her on her way to the college but we are still very keen for her to wear niqab. We are very confused, especially in the light of this turmoil, and the situation is as you know. As she is about to finish her studies, her decision to give up her studies and put on niqab has met with strong objections from her parents. I hope that you will advise us, because we have great confidence in you, especially as her study requires her to go to the college regularly. The second matter is that I am now working in a company that specializes in web design. Praise be to Allah, I have not encountered any problems except that most of the time we use computer programs. All that I am afraid of is that my earning from this may be haraam -- Allah forbid -- although the company is not able to buy the rights to these programs?"

A fatwa in English in which Sh. Muhammad Saleh Al-Munajjid answers the following question, “I have a friend from one of the Arab countries, and in that country Mother’s Day is an official holiday, which he celebrates with his brothers and sisters because of their mother. Now he wants to stop doing that, but his mother will be angry because she has become accustomed to this thing and it has become a tradition in their country. He is afraid that his mother will be angry with him and will bear a grudge against him until she dies not pleased with him. He has tried to convince her that it is haraam and why, but she is not convinced because of the atmosphere in their country. What should he do? Please advise us, may Allah bless you.”

A fatwa translated into English in which Sh. Muhammad Saleh Al-Munajjid (may Allah preserve him) answers the following question: My mother is having health problems and requested me to go to church and pray for her there that she will get better since I stopped going to church with her and my father for a few months now. When I stopped, they were very upset at first, seemingly like every single Sunday comes up, they expected highly that I would get dressed and go with them, but I never did. So, is it permissible to go to church with the intention just to make them happy, especially my mother?

A fatwa translated into English in which Sh. Muhammad Saleh Al-Munajjid (may Allah preserve him) answers the following question: Allah says, “Help you one another in Al Birr and At Taqwa (virtue, righteousness, and piety)” [al-Ma'idah:3]. How should Muslims cooperate or help one another in the light of this verse? In the absence of any organized effort, what should the person who wants to do organized work do with the circumstances and opportunities that are available to him?