Q.1. When misfortune befalls someone, people say that it is a punishment for his bad deeds. They are quick with comments like, ‘had he done this, he would not have suffered such misfortune’. How far does this agree with Islamic teachings?
Q.2. How important is it to divide the property of a deceased person among his heirs after his death? What are the consequences of failure to do so?
Q.3. Is it appropriate that a woman leads a congregational prayer in a congregation of women only? Can a husband and wife offer prayers together?
Iftequar
A.1. It is wrong to link anything that happens to man with what God determines for him. This is akin to judging God’s actions and determining their causes. We should remember that the life of this world is a test for all of us. The test can take different shapes and forms. Some of us are tried with hardship, while others are tried with affluence. The Prophet Solomon (peace be upon him) prayed to God to give him a sort of kingdom that no one else can have, and God granted him that, putting at his disposal certain powers that no one else ever controlled, such as the wind and authority over the jinn. He commented after a certain event in which his special powers were utilized: “This is by the grace of my Lord, so as to test me whether I am grateful or ungrateful.” (27: 40) He thus sums up the blessings God gave him, stating that they represented a test for him so that he would prove himself to be grateful. A test with hardship should prove whether we are patient in adversity. If we do, we stand to earn reward. If we were to describe a misfortune as God’s punishment and a blessing as His reward, we are actually judging His actions. No human being can do that.
A.2. It is very important to divide the inheritance of a deceased person among his heirs as soon as this is practicable. Such division allows the heirs to know what they have and use it for their needs. If it is left undivided for a period of time, this is likely to result in complications and division among close relatives. It could also lead to some of them wronging others. While there is no specific punishment for such delay, the problems that are likely to ensue could be worse than a punishment.
A.3. It is perfectly right, and indeed encouraged, for a man and wife to offer any obligatory prayer together in a congregation made up of the two of them. It is also proper that a group of women should organize a congregational prayer, led by one of them, who should stand in the middle of the first row, not in front of it.
Finishing the Day of Fasting on Time
Q. On the first day of Ramadan and as we were preparing to end the fast and have iftar, one of our colleagues came from outside and told us that he heard the adhan, or the call to prayer. We ended our fast, but a couple of minutes later, we heard the adhan being called. We were confused as to whether our fast was correct or not. Should we repeat that day?
Jawad
A. I imagine that when you heard the adhan, you tried to establish whether it was the right time or that call was a late one. Sometimes, one mosque calls for prayer one or two minutes too early or a little later than when it is due. So if you established at the time which call was correct, and you determined that the second call was the more accurate one, then you are strongly recommended to repeat the day. The one you had finished early will count as voluntary fasting and you will be rewarded for it. If you could not establish which call was correct, then you do not need to repeat your fast, because all you might have done was to make a genuine mistake. The Prophet said: “My community will not be questioned on matters they do as a result of genuine mistake, out of forgetfulness, or through compulsion.” If you repeat your fast anyway you will earn double reward, as you will demonstrate your keenness to ensure that your obligatory worship was complete and correct. You can do it nowadays while the days are still short and the whether is mild.
