Authentication

Cleaning the utensils with one's finger after eating

Q: Is the statement below correct:

UTENSIL SEEKS FORGIVENESS

It was the practice of Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) that after eating he would lick the utensil clean with his finger and not leave behind even a tiny speck of food and drink. He would even lick his fingers clean of any food particles. Rasulullaah Salallahu Alayhi Wasallam ordered his followers to also do the same, as has been mentioned in many Ahadith. In fact, great virtues have been mentioned for this.

In a narration of Tirmizi it has been mentioned that Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) said: "The one who eats in a plate, then licks it clean (with his finger), the utensil seeks forgiveness for him."

In another narration it is mentioned that the utensil prays for him in the words: " May Allah free you from the fire as you have freed me from shaitaan (by not leaving any food behind for shaitaan)" (Mishkaat).

One should therefore always wipe the utensil clean and not leave behind anything for shaitaan.

The story of a Sahaabi who could not recite the kalimah at the time of death

Q: I would like to ask Mufti Saheb regarding this story. How about status of this story? Can we use this for targhib and tarhib?

At the time of the Prophet (peace be upon him), there was a young man named Alqamah. He was very diligent in obeying Allah by engaging in prayer and fasting and spending in charity. Then he fell ill and his illness became serious. His wife went to the Prophet and said, "My husband, Alqamah, is on his deathbed. I therefore came to tell you, Messenger of Allah, about his condition." The Prophet (then) sent for Ammar or Suhaib and Bilal, and told them to go to him (Alqamah) and have him repeat the Shahadah. Thereupon they went to him and found him in the agony of death. They asked him to say, "La illaha illa Allah," but his tongue was unable to pronounce it. At that, they came and told the Messenger of Allah that he was unable to repeat the Shahadah. The Prophet asked, "Is either of his parents alive?" He was told, "Messenger of Allah, his mother is, but she is very old." The Prophet sent her a message that if it was convenient for her (that is, is she was able to go out), she should come to him; otherwise she should stay in her house and the Prophet would come to her. The Prophet's messenger came to her and informed her of the Prophet's message. She said, "May my life be a ransom for him, it is my pleasure to go to him!" She then stood up, leaning on her walking stick, and came to the Prophet and greeted him. The Prophet returned her greeting and said to her, "Umm Alqamah, tell me the truth, for otherwise Allah Most High will reveal the truth to me! What is the situation concerning your son, Alqamah?" She replied, "Messenger of Allah, he prays much, fasts a great deal, and spends a great amount in charity." The Prophet said, "And what about yourself?" Some portion due to limitation of words. It was reported from Ahmed and Tibrani

Reciting Surah Ikhlaas two hundred times

Q: I read somewhere that if we pray Surah ikhlass one hundred times, 25 years of sins will be forgiven and if we pray two hundred times then 50 years of sins are forgiven, inshaAllah. Does that mean we have to pray the set amount every day or after every salaah or just once in our lifetime? And if we pray that amount for our deceased family, will their 25 or 50 years of sins be forgiven? And if so, do we have to pray for each member of our family separately or can we include all of them together?

Hadith question

Q: Is there any credible or authentic narration which states that Hawa (the mother of mankind), Sarah (the mother of the Prophet Isaac), Princess Hajrah of Egypt (the mother of Prophet Ismael), Queen Asiya (the wife of the Pharaoh of the time of Musa) and/or Hazrat Mariam (the mother of Prophet Isa) were present at the birth of Rasool (Sallalla hu alaihi wa Sallam)? A Barelwi brother once told me that Hazrat Mariam (the mother of Prophet Isa) was also present, whilst this article states from the Jamiatul Ulama states that the other four ladies were present: http://jamiat.org.za/blog/miraculous-birth-of-our-beloved-nabi-s-a-w/ However I have not come across any lecture on the Seerah nor any book of Seerah mentioning that any of these five women were present. Furthermore Shaykh Maulana Ibrahim Mogra of the UK said that it is false to state that Hazrat Mariam was present. Can the Mufti please clarify the true position of Ahlus Sunnah wal Jama'ah?

Hadith question

Q: I always meet this one uncle who I sometimes sit and talk with. He is just over 80 years of age. He wanted to know if there is any Hadith or mention in Qur'an about Almighty Allah being more merciful and forgiving to someone who reaches the age of 90 or any old age. He said he did ask some Imaam before but he still never got an answer so I said I will try my best to find out for him and let him know.