ABU DHABI // Unhygienic fellow worshippers are no excuse for skipping prayers, according to one of about 100 fatwas issued by the General Authority of Islamic Affairs and Endowments (Awqaf) this month.
The ruling came after a Muslim looked for clarity on the issue of showing up to the mosque in "sweaty or dirty" clothes.
"If you find any of your brother worshippers smelling unpleasantly, that should not be a valid excuse for your to leave the Jamaa [congregational] prayer as there will be a loss in goodness and reward," said a fatwa in response.
It later specified that Muslims should "always" come to prayers clean. Awqaf issues daily fatwas through its centre in Abu Dhabi in response to questions, either submitted online or phoned in, about what is permissible under Sharia law.
The Awqaf also reminded worshippers not to head to the mosque after eating garlic, as the smells "offends" those trying to pray.
The Prophet Mohammed said, "He who has eaten from this plant should not approach us and should not offer prayer along with us."
On the issue of debts and those who have loans with banks, a fatwa urged followers to make all payments on time as it is considered a "debt" that should be honoured and paid back when able to do so.
The fatwa sent a counter-warning to the questioner, explaining that if extra money was taken as penalty for late payment, it would be considered reba, or interest, and forbidden in Islam.
Another question came from a family, concerned that their habit of packing up the creams and shampoos offered by hotels might not be allowed. The fatwa indicated that Muslims could take such toiletries, and food, from the room, but within limits.
"You have already paid for the disposable items like shampoo and soap, and so you are allowed to take them with you unless explicitly told by the establishment not to take them with you," replied the fatwa.
"It is known that hotels don't offer anything unless it has already been paid for."
In another holiday-related question, someone asked "whether it is okay to love a particular place".
Doing so is permissible, provided it was a favourable place in the eyes of Allah, such as mosques, one's own country or holy places such as Mecca and Madina. The fatwa ruled out a love of "shopping places".
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A widely accepted definition was made by the All Party Parliamentary Group on British Muslims in 2019: “Islamophobia is rooted in racism and is a type of racism that targets expressions of Muslimness or perceived Muslimness.” It further defines it as “inciting hatred or violence against Muslims”.
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In Dubai:
Dh200 for littering or spitting in the Dubai Metro
Dh500 for throwing cigarette butts or chewing gum on the floor, or littering from a vehicle.
Dh1,000 for littering on a beach, spitting in public places, throwing a cigarette butt from a vehicle
In Sharjah and other emirates
Dh500 for littering - including cigarette butts and chewing gum - in public places and beaches in Sharjah
Dh2,000 for littering in Sharjah deserts
Dh500 for littering from a vehicle in Ras Al Khaimah
Dh1,000 for littering from a car in Abu Dhabi
Dh1,000 to Dh100,000 for dumping waste in residential or public areas in Al Ain
Dh10,000 for littering at Ajman's beaches
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- At 9.16pm, three suicide attackers killed one person outside the Atade de France during a foootball match between France and Germany
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- Salah Abdeslam, the only survivor of the terrorists, did not directly participate in the attacks, thought to be due to a technical glitch in his suicide vest
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Writers: Walter Mosley
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