When should Mawlid flags be taken down?

(1) When should Mawlid flags be taken down?

Question: When should we remove the flags that we hoist on our homes for the celebration of the Holy Prophet's صَلَّى اللّٰهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم birthday?

Answer: If possible, they should be raised a day or two before the 25th of Ṣafar, so that the blessed annual commemoration of, Imam Aḥmad Raza Khan رَحْمَةُ الـلّٰـهِ عَـلَيْه , is also included. Then, after the 12th of RabīꜤ al-Awwal has passed, these flags should be taken down and carefully stored so they can be used again next year. If these flags are left hoisted throughout the year, then perhaps no one will pay attention to them, and they might get damaged due to sun and wind, eventually falling to the ground.[1]

(2) Is it permissible to go to work on the 12th of RabīꜤ al-Awwal?

Question: If there is urgent work at the office, can one go to work on the 12th of RabīꜤ al-Awwal?

Answer: On the 12th of RabīꜤ al-Awwal and the two Eids (i.e., Eid al-Fiṭr and Eid al-Aḍḥā), the majority of Muslims take a holiday. If someone works instead of taking a holiday on these days, it is not forbidden. It is possible that Muslims who work for non-Muslims are not granted holidays on these days and have to work, so they may do so. Similarly, some Muslims do not grant their employees holidays on these days because their work increases significantly on Eid days and the 12th of RabīꜤ al-Awwal. For instance, butchers do not have a holiday during Eid al-Aḍḥā because they become very busy on those days. Likewise, livestock traders do not take a holiday during Eid al-Aḍḥā. Similarly, sweet shops and general stores are also very busy during the Eids, so they do not take holidays either. Furthermore, those who sell children's toys, etc., also do not have holidays during Eids, as these are their prime earning days.[2]

(3) Placing flags or buntings on a grave

Question: Should Mawlid flags or buntings be placed on the graves of our deceased loved ones on the occasion of Mawlid?

Answer: My advice is not to make this a common practice. It is possible that children might pull down the flags or buntings, or they might become tattered and fly away due to the rain and sun, which would be disrespectful. Therefore, instead of hoisting Mawlid flags on graves, plants should be planted, as they will engage in the remembrance of Allah for as long as they remain fresh, bringing comfort to the deceased. Some people also hoist flags on my late mother's grave; please do not do so. However, placing flowers is good.[3]

(4) The meaning of “صَلَّى اللہُ عَلٰى مُحَمَّد”

Question: What is the meaning of صَلَّى اللہُ عَلٰى مُحَمَّد?

Answer: The meaning ofصَلَّى اللہُ عَلٰى مُحَمَّد is that Allah's blessings be upon (the Prophet) Muhammad صَلَّى اللّٰهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم .[4]-[5]

(5) Is the Fajr prayer a daytime or night prayer?

Question: Is the Fajr prayer considered part of the daytime prayers or the night prayers?

Answer: Among the daytime prayers.[6]

(6) The meaning of رَبِّ اغْفِرْلِیْ

Question: Please tell us the meaning of رَبِّ اغْفِرْلِیْ.

Answer: Its meaning is: My Lord! Forgive me.[7]

(7) What is the ruling on discarding meat given as charity?

Question: Can meat given as charity be thrown away?

Answer: Discarding meat, whether given as charity or from a sacrifice, is wasting wealth, and this is a sin. However, if the meat has spoiled or rotted, it is forbidden to eat it, and it must then be disposed of. Some elders say that when you give a goat as charity, you should bury its head in a certain graveyard, and this will remove your particular difficulty. Burying the head is also incorrect, as it involves wasting wealth, which is forbidden. These elders must fear Allah Almighty and refrain from giving such incorrect advice.[8]

(8) One who does not forgive will not reach Ḥawḍ al-Kawthar!

Question: If someone seeks forgiveness from their friend and the friend does not forgive, what should be done?

Answer: One should forgive, as it is stated in a Hadith: "Whoever’s brother comes to him seeking forgiveness, and he does not forgive him, will not be allowed to approach the Ḥawḍ al-Kawthar."[9]

(9) What should a wife do if her husband is financially constrained?

Question: If the husband is financially constrained, what should the wife do?

Answer: The wife should encourage and console her husband, telling him that Allah Almighty will make everything better and that he should not worry. At such times, she should not make any unreasonable demands, as they can become an added trial, and may even lead the husband towards unlawful means. If the wife gives him space (without unnecessary interference), he will feel at peace and remain stress-free. If Allah Almighty wills, blessings will surely come. The sustenance destined for a person is sure to reach them. There is a common proverb: "Sustenance comes by every means, and so does death."[10]

(10) Should missed prayers during travel be offered in a shortened form (qaṣr) or in full?

Question: If prayers are missed during travel, should they be made up later as shortened or complete prayers?

Answer: If prayers missed during travel are made up upon returning to one's hometown, they must be performed in the shortened (qaṣr) form only. However, if someone's prayers were missed in their hometown, and then they embarked on a journey, they will not make them up in shortened form during travel, but rather with complete units. That is, a prayer must be made up exactly as it was missed.[11]