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DEEDS ARE JUDGED BY THEIR INTENTIONS

Question:

I donated some money at work to a worthy cause, but only because I was afraid of embarrassing myself in front of my supervisor. If the matter were in my hands, I would not have given even half a penny. Will I be rewarded for this donation just as if I had given it with a pleased heart? Please support your answer with a proof.
Answer:

If the matter is as you described it, you will not be rewarded because you did not intend Allaahs pleasure by giving that donation; rather, you gave it for your supervisor because you were afraid of him. The Messenger of Allaah said in an authentic Hadith, Deeds are by their intentions; indeed, every person will get what he intended. [1]
[1] Al-Bukhari no. 1 and Muslim no. 1907.

Permanent Committee for Research and Verdicts
Fatawa Islamiyah Vol. 8 Page 104

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NO PRAYING IN GRAVEYARDS

Question:

I argued with some of those who deem as lawful praying in cemeteries, and in the mosque which contains a grave, or graves. I defeated them by using the clear and authentic proofs. But they said: Where did Aishah pray after the Prophet died? And was his grave in the house or outside? They also said: How could the Prophet (sallallaahu alaihi wa sallam) with Companions pray in Al-Masjid Al-Haram were Hajar, the wife of Ibrahim, and other Prophets were buried? Is it true that Aishah, may Allaah be pleased with her, prayed in her room after the death of the Prophet (sallallaahu alaihi wa sallam), and the fact that the graves of Hajar and Ibrahim and other Prophets are in Al-Masjid Al-Haram?
Answer:

It is authentically reported in Al-Bukhari and Muslim that Aishah, may Allaah be pleased with her, said that the Messenger of Allaah said in his death sickness: The curse of Allaah is upon Jews and Christians who turned the graves of their Prophets into praying places. [1]

Aishah, may Allaah be pleased with her, said: He was warning against what they do. Had it not been for that he would have raised his grave, but he hated it to be taken as a mosque. In another version: But it was feared that it would be taken as a mosque. And in the narration of Bukhari: But I fear that it would be taken for a mosque. [2]

With this we know that it is not permissible to pray in mosques that include graves, and building them is unlawful. As for the inquirers question, Where did Aishah pray after the Prophet (sallallaahu alaihi wa sallam) was buried in her room, or whether his grave is outside or inside the house? The answer is that Aishah was of those who narrated the traditions that signify the prohibition of taking graves of taking graves for mosques.

This indeed reflects the wisdom of Allaah, the Exalted. Hence we know that she did not pray in the room which contained the graves. Had she prayed in it, she would have opposed those traditions that she reported, and that would not befit her. As to whether Hajar or some Prophets are buried in Al-Masjid Al-Haram, we do not know of any proof of this assertion.

[1] Al-Bukhari no. 1330 and Muslim no. 531 [2] Al-Bukhari no. 1330

Permanent Committee for Research and Verdicts
Fatawa Islamiyah Vol. 1 Page 80

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KEEPING PICTURES AS TOKENS OF REMEMBRANCE

Question:

When I go out on excursions with a group of friends, I take pictures to keep them as mementos. What is the ruling on taking pictures for this purpose?
Answer:

The ruling is this practice is that it is unlawful, that is, if the picture is taken of something with a sole (a human or an animal), The Prophet (sallallaahu alaihi wa sallam) said: The people who will be most severely punished on the Day of Judgement will be the picture-makers. [1] The Prophet (sallallaahu alaihi wa sallam) also cursed those who make pictures. As for taking pictures of things without a soul - a car, a plane, a tree, etc., - there is no harm in that. And with Allaah is the facilitation to do what is right.
[1] Al-Bukhari no. 5950 and Muslim no. 2109.

Shaykh `Abdul-`Azeez Bin Baz
Fatawa Islamiyah Vol. 8 Page 125

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KEEP THE GRAVE AWAY FROM THE MOSQUE

Question:

A man built a mosque and he directed his family to place his grave in the mosque (after his death). Then he died and he was buried in the mosque in front of the Qiblah. And the distance between the grave and the worshippers is only one meter. I request your advice in this matter.
Answer:

This grave must be removed from the mosque and placed far away from the mosque, in the local cemetery, because its presence in the mosque is an incitement to commit Shirk. Being that it is in the direction of the Qiblah makes it all the more extreme, for it is nearer still to associating partners with Allaah, by worship of the graves inhabitant.

The rule on this has been expounded in the Hadith narrated by the two Shaikhs, on the authority of Abu Hurairah, may Allaah be pleased with him, in which he said: May Allaah destroy the Jews and Christians, they took the graves of their Prophets as places of worship. [1]

Muslim narrated that the Prophet (sallallaahu alaihi wa sallam) said: Do not sit on the graves and do not pray towards them. [2]

Muslim also narrated that the Prophet (sallallaahu alaihi wa sallam) said: Verily, those before you used to take the graves of their Prophets and their righteous folk as places of worship, so do not take the graves as places of worship, for I forbid you to do so. [3]

May peace and blessings of Allaah be upon our Prophet Muhammad and upon all his family and Companions.

[1] Al-Bukhari no. 437 and Muslim no. 530 [2] Muslim no. 972 and Abu Dawud no. 3229 [3] Muslim no. 532

Permanent Committee for Research and Verdicts
Fatawa Islamiyah Vol. 1 Page 180