Majmoo’al-Fatawa – AbdurRahman.Org

Difference between Kufr and Shirk – Imam Ibn Baz

by AbdurRahman.orgFebruary 26, 2020October 22, 2026

Difference between Kufr and Shirk

Q: A Muslim sister N. S. `A from Riyadh says: What is the difference between Kufr (disbelief) and Shirk (associating others with Allah in His Divinity or worship)? Please, advise. May Allah reward you!

Answer by Imam Ibn Baz (rahimahullaah):

Kufr is the denial and concealment of the Truth such as those who deny the obligation of Salah, Zakah, Sawm, Hajj in case of being financially and physically able, and dutifulness to one’s parents, and so on. It is also like those who deny the prohibition of Zina (premarital sexual intercourse and/or adultery), consuming Khamr (intoxicants), and disobeying one’s parents.

Shirk is to devote the acts of worship to anything beside Allah (Exalted be He) such as those who seek the help of the dead, the absent, the Jinn, idols, the stars, and so on or those who offer sacrifices or make vows to them.

Explanation of Allah’s Saying: “Verily, the hypocrites will be in the lowest depth (grade) of the Fire” – Imam Ibn Baz

by AbdurRahman.orgFebruary 24, 2020October 22, 2026

Explanation of Allah’s Saying: “Verily, the hypocrites will be in the lowest depth (grade) of the Fire”

Q: Allah (Exalted be He) says in His Noble Book (what means): “Verily, the hypocrites will be in the lowest depth (grade) of the Fire”. What is meant by hypocrisy and hypocrites in this Ayah (Qur’anic verse)? Please clarify their meaning.

Answer by Imam Ibn Baz (rahimahullaah):

The hypocrites are those who make a false pretense of Islam, when they are professing otherwise. They claim to be Muslims, although deep down they disbelieve in Allah and belie the Messenger (peace be upon him). These are the hypocrites who are so called because they show Islam, while hiding Kufr (disbelief).

Allah (Glorified and Exalted be He) says:

“And of mankind, there are some (hypocrites) who say: “We believe in Allâh and the Last Day” while in fact they believe not. They (think to) deceive Allâh and those who believe, while they only deceive themselves, and perceive (it) not! In their hearts is a disease (of doubt and hypocrisy) (namely doubt and suspicion) and Allâh has increased their disease. A painful torment is theirs because they used to tell lies.”

Raising one’s hands and rubbing one’s face after supererogatory Prayer – Imam Ibn Baz

by AbdurRahman.orgFebruary 23, 2020

33 – Ruling on raising one’s hands and rubbing one’s face after supererogatory Prayer

Q: What is the ruling on raising one’s hand and rubbing one’s face after offering Tahiyyat-ul-Masjid (two-unit-Prayer to greet the mosque), optional Prayer and Al-Sunan Al-Rawatib (supererogatory prayer that was stressed and regularly performed by the Prophet)?

Answer by Imam Ibn Baz (rahimahullaah):

Raising one’s hands is one of the ways to have supplications answered. It is reported in a Prophetic Hadith that raising one’s hands is a way to have supplications answered. So, it is permissible for a Muslim to raise his hands after offering supererogatory prayer or at other times; however, he should not keep doing so, as the Prophet (peace be upon him) would not keep doing so all the time, but he may peace be upon him) sometimes did it.

As for obligatory prayer, neither the Prophet (peace be upon him) nor the Companions did it, but they would sometimes do it after supererogatory Prayer according to the religious evidence permitting raising one’s hands on supplicating to Allah when it is done from time to time.

As for rubbing one’s face after supplicating to Allah (Exalted be He), nothing has been reported about it in authentic Prophetic Hadiths. However, some weak Hadiths allow it, so the Muslim scholars see that such weak Hadiths support one another and authenticate one another. Thus, there is nothing wrong if a Muslim rubs the face after supplicating to Allah (Exalted be He), but it is better not to do it, because no authentic Hadith reported this act, i.e. rubbing one’s face after supplicating.

(Part No. 30; Page No.44)

Source: English Translations of Collection of “Majmoo al Fatawa of Ibn Baz”, Volume 30. By: Sheikh `Abdul `Aziz Bin `Abdullah ibn `AbdulRahman ibn Bazz (May Allah forgive and reward al-Firdouse to him and his parents). He was The Mufti of Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Chairman of the Council of Senior Scholars, and Chairman of Department of Scholarly Research and Ifta’.

This English Translation is collected from alifta.net, Portal of the general Presidency of Scholarly Research and Ifta’

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Necessity of approaching Allah with Tawbah and supplication in adversity – Imam Ibn Baz

by AbdurRahman.orgFebruary 18, 2020October 22, 2026

Necessity of approaching Allah with Tawbah and supplication in adversity

From ‘Abdul‘Aziz ibn ‘Abdullah ibn Baz to every Muslim who reads this:

May Allah help us remember Him and take warnings and lessons from the destinies unfolding before our eyes and lead us to sincere Tawbah (repentance to Allah) from all sins and misdeeds. Amen.

Assalamu ‘alaykum warahmatullah wabarakatuh (May Allah’s Peace, Mercy, and Blessings be upon you!)

Indeed, Allah (Glorified and Exalted be He) wills with His Deep Wisdom, absolute Proof, and all Encompassing Knowledge to test His Servants with prosperity and adversity, poverty and affluence, blessings and calamities, to try their patience and thankfulness.

Anyone who is patient at the time of adversity, thankful at the time of prosperity, humbles themselves and supplicates to Allah upon facing hardships, acknowledges their sins and shortcomings, and asks Allah for His Mercy and Forgiveness, has succeeded and will be granted the blessed end.

Ruling on amulets consisting of the Qur’an – Imam Ibn Baz

by AbdurRahman.orgFebruary 17, 2020October 22, 2026

Q3: What is the ruling on amulets consisting of the Qur’an and other things?

Answer by Imam Ibn Baz (rahimahullah):

Amulets that consist of other than the Qur’an such as bones, talismans, cowrie shells, wolf’s hair and the like are all evil and Haram (prohibited) by the Nas (Islamic text from the Qur’an or the Sunnah). It is not permissible to hang them on anybody or anything, because the Prophet (peace be upon him) said, “Anyone who wears an amulet, may Allah not fulfill it (i.e., their purpose) for them, and whoever wears a cowrie shell, may Allah not give them peace.” And in another narration, he (peace be upon him) said, “Anyone who wears an amulet has committed Shirk (associated others with Allah in His Divinity or worship).”

Writing of the word “Allah” and the word “Muhammad” in an interlacing shape – alifta

by AbdurRahman.orgFebruary 13, 2020

Fatwa No. 8377

Q: I would like to raise an issue that caused a dispute between some people. It is the writing of the word “Allah” and the word “Muhammad” in an interlacing shape on top of the door of one of the Masjids (mosques) in Adlab. Some of them said that it is not permissible to write these names in such a shape. The proof they mentioned to support their viewpoint was that in this way, Muhammad’s status (peace be upon him), would be the same as Allah’s which is not reasonable. Others said that writing them in such a way is permissible as Allah (Glorified and Exalted be He) places His name beside the name of His Messenger Muhammad (peace be upon him). I would like you to guide me to what is right. Thank you very much.

Ans. by Permanent Committee for Scholarly Research and Ifta’, KSA:

Shari’ah (Islamic law) texts join between testifying that no one is worthy of worship except Allah and testifying that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah in certain places, such as in Adhan (call to Prayer), Iqamah (call to start the Prayer), in the Hadith: Islam is based on five pillars: (Testifying that there is no God but Allah and that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah…) and other places. These texts point out what Mukallafun (legally competent persons) should believe in with regard to Allah and the Messenger, such as saying that there is no God but Allah and that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah.

But mixing the two words in writing was not mentioned in the Book of Allah or the Sunnah (whatever is reported from the Prophet, peace be upon him).

Moreover, mixing both words in writing contains great danger as this is similar to the false creed of the Christians with regard to the trinity. They believe that the Father, Son and Holy Spirit are one God.

It also contains an element of the false creed of pantheism, and leads to elevating the Prophet (peace be upon him) and worshipping him along with Allah.

Therefore, it is prohibited to write the Name of Allah and the name of His Messenger Muhammad (peace be upon him) by mixing the letters of the two words together.

Moreover, it is also prohibited to write the words (Allah – Muhammad) next to each other on the top of the door of the Masjids or any other place because doing so may contain some delusion and misguidance with regard to the prohibitions mentioned above.

May Allah grant us success! May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and Companions!

(Part No. 1; Page No. 82)

Majmoo’al-Fatawa , Vol 1, Permanent Committee for Scholarly Research and Ifta’
Members: Abdullah ibn Qa’ud, Abdullah ibn Ghudayyan
Deputy Chairman: ‘Abdul-Razzaq Afify,
Chairman: Abdul-Aziz ibn ‘Abdullah ibn Baz

This English Translation is collected from alifta.net, Portal of the general Presidency of Scholarly Research and Ifta’

Abstain from swearing frequently, even if you are truthful – Imam Ibn Baz

by AbdurRahman.orgJanuary 27, 2020October 22, 2026

Q 7: I have a relative who frequently swears by Allah whether he is truthful or not. What is the religious ruling on such an act?

Ans by Imam Ibn Baz (rahimahullaah):

He should be advised and told to abstain from swearing frequently, even if he is truthful, for Allah (Glorified and Exalted be He) says: “. And protect your oaths (i.e. do not swear much)“.

Moreover the Prophet (peace be upon him) said:

“Three persons whom Allah shall neither speak to on the Day of Resurrection, nor look at, nor purify, and they shall have a painful torment: a white-haired adulterer, an arrogant poor person, and a man who made Allah as his merchandise: he does not buy except by swearing (by Allah) and he does not sell except by swearing.” –

The Arabs used to be praised for taking oaths rarely. A poet said about them:

Whoever does not swear so much, can keep his oath
If he takes an oath he will fulfills it

Aliyah in Arabic means oath.

It is prescribed for a Mu’min (believer) to swear rarely even if they are truthful. Swearing frequently may lead them to tell lies. It is well known that telling lies is Haram (prohibited); but it is much more prohibited when it is combined with swearing oaths.