The Press Release on the Terrorist Attacks against the Shia in Egypt

The Press Release on the Terrorist Attacks against the Shia in Egypt
2013/06/25

We strongly condemn the terrorist attacks that lead to the martyrdom and wounding of tens of innocent lovers of the Ahlul-Bait (peace be upon them) in Egypt and the dragging of deceased bodies along the ground that took place afterwards.

As we ask the Almighty Allah to send His mercy on the souls of the martyrs and to grant the wounded fast recovery, we call the government and the judiciary of Egypt to take the responsibility in bringing the perpetrators and those who motivated them with incitement verdicts to justice. In addition, we call the Egyptian government to take the necessary steps in preventing the recurrence of similar events.

We pray to the Almighty Lord to bless the efforts of Al-Azhar in promoting a culture of moderation and rejecting extremism and hatred, which distort the image of Muslims and rupture the unity of the peaceful Egyptian nation.

"There is no power save from Allah, the All-high, the All-Great"

The Office of the Religious Authority, Sayyid Mohammed Saeed Al-Hakeem

Day Questions

In the hijab of a woman is it sufficient to cover a woman’s body or is it also necessary that the forms of buttocks, legs and chest do not stand out?

It is obligatory in hijab to cover the body parts. It is prohibited to allow attractive body parts of the woman to stand out if it causes attraction and seduction.

Is it obligatory to pray Eid Prayer?

Eid prayer is not obligatory in our time but recommended.

I have not fasted during the month of Ramadan for many years deliberately. Is there a way I can repent for this and be forgiven?

Fasting is among the obligatory pillars that Islam was built upon. Not performing it is amongst the big sins for which Almighty Allah has threatened to punish with hellfire. However, Almighty Allah has also opened the doors of mercy for his slaves when he said: "Say: O My slaves who have wronged their own selves! Despair not of the mercy of Allah, Who forgives all sins. Lo! He is the Forgiving, the Merciful." (53:39). We ask Almighty Allah to forgive all believers and bless us all. However, alongside this, it is obligatory to make up for all the fasts missed, as well as undertaking the Kaffara and paying the Fidya, as explained in detailed in the treatise of Islamic laws.

If someone had stolen something from a person who does not care for the thing, and the stealer then seeks forgiveness from Allah Almighty, is this sufficient? Can he then use the item, or does he have to return it to the owner?

It is not permissible to use the item without the owner’s approval. The stealer is obligated to seek the owner’s approval, or he must return the item to owner even if this is done without the later knowing it was stolen in the first place.