Reciting the Takbeer Tashreeq before the Eid salaah

Q: Salaah-695: The Imaam of our Masjid recites the Takbeer Tashreeq before the Eid salaah. Is there any harm in one of the followers reciting it instead of the Imaam?

Answer: We have been commanded to recite the Takbeer Tashreeq en-route to the Eid Gah and to stop when reaching. One may then engage in Dhikr, remain silent or recite silently. Reciting the Takbeer Tashreeq aloud in the Eid Gah is prohibited. It conflicts with the Sunnah and is therefore Makrooh for either the Imaam or any of the followers to recite the Takbeer Tashreeq aloud. And Allaah knows best what is most correct.

Fatawa Rahimiyyah vol.2

For a Clean Shaven Trustee to lead the salaah in the Presence of the Imaam and Shaving the Beard to Propagate Islaam

Q: Salaah-696: There is an institution that teaches both Deen and secular education. Amongst the students are also children who belong to the Ismaa'ili Aaga Khan Khoja sect. The five daily salaahs are performed there in Jamaa'ah and the Imaam is a Qaari Sahib.

The administration has now ruled that when any of the trustees are present for salaah, they ought to lead the salaah. As a result, we have clean-shaven people leading the salaah. Is salaah behind a clean-shaven person valid when there aye Ulema and Qurraa present? If valid, will it be Makrooh Tahreemi or Tanzeehi and if invalid, is only the salaah of the Ulema invalid or the salaah of all present?

Secondly, the person leading the salaah engages in Da'wah amongst the Khojas and therefore shaves his beard because a person with a beard cannot do Da'wah amongst them. He says that salaah behind him is not at all Makrooh because he is engaged in Da'wah. Can people perform salaah behind such trustees?

(2) What is the definition of a Faasiq and what punishment has the Qur'aan and Ahadeeth cited for such a person?

(3,4) I also belonged to the Agaa Khan sect and accepted Imaan after Iistening to a lecture by a Moulana. I have now stopped believing that Agaa Khan was Allaah. I wish to save other in the sect from punishment and have started Da'wah amongst them. Amongst the many beliefs they hold is that a person wearing a beard is extremely low in status and they refuse to listen to him at all. Does the Shari'ah permit me to shave my beard to carry on Da'wah amongst them? Will I be liable for punishment if I do or will Allaah excuse me on account of the Da'wah work that I do? I am saddened to note that the Ulema of India. the Tablighi Jamaa'ah. Jamaa'ate Islaami and the Ghayr Muqallideen have not embarked on Da'wah amongst our people belonging to the Ismaa'ili Aaga Khan Khoja sect, whereas we even keep names such as Sadrud Deen. Badrud Deen, Muhammad Mubaarak, etc and our people reject fasting, salaah and zakaah. By the grace of Allaah, some of us have embarked on Da'wah and the results have started to appear. However, it is only on account of not wearing the beard that Ulema label us as Faasiq. Can we be called Faasiq? Is Allaah's curse not upon the Faasiq?

(5) We have started an institute where we educate the Agaa Khan children. While teaching them Deen. we also engage in Da'wah. Because our people do not accept the word of a person with a beard, can we take work from these children without them keeping beards?

Answer: (1,2) The post of an Imaam is highly revered and an Imaam needs to be one who is particular about following the Sunnah and the Shari'ah. Wearing the beard is extremely important in the Shari'ah and is the practice of all the Ambiyaa ALY. It was the perpetual practice of Rasulullaah SAW. and one which he emphatically commanded. It is therefore Waajib (compulsory) for Muslim males to wear the beard and its length needs to be that of a fist. Shaving the beard is Haraam, a major sin and renders one a Faasiq. The Ummah is unanimous about this. Refer to a previous Fatwa of Fataawaa Raheemiyyah for details.

Therefore, it is Makrooh Tahreemi for a clean-shaven person to lead the salaah when there are people present who are following the Sunnah. The salaah of all the followers will be rendered Makrooh regardless of whether they are Ulema or not. In a Hadith reported by Hadhrat Abdullaah bin Umar RADI., Rasool SAW. said, Rasulullaah SAW. said, "If you wish that your salaah reach the highest levels of acceptance, you should appoint your learned ones as your Imaams so that they could serve as messengers between you and your Rabb.

Kabeeri (Pg.a79) states that people will be sinful for appointing an Imaam who is a Faasiq. Refer to a previous Fatwa of Fataawaa Raheemiyyah for details. It must also be borne in mind that the appointed Imaam has the first right to lead the salaah even if someone more learned or better in any other way has to present himself.
It is therefore improper for the trustees to lead the salaah, even if they had been given permission to do so. This is the ruling in the Shari'ah and in no way intends to degrade any person. The trustees should therefore not take any offence and should happily allow the Imaam to lead them.

(3,4,5) It is by the grace of Allaah that He grants people Imaan and guidance. May Allaah bless your Imaan and keep us all steadfast on Imaan until we leave this world. Aameen. There is really no boon greater than Imaan and as much gratitude as we may express, it will always be too little.

We must endeavour to entire the Deen of Islaam in totality, as Allaah says, "O you who have Imaan! Enter completely into Islaam". One needs to embody Islaam internally and express it externally as well. Every deed has to be done for the pleasure of Allaah and while it is our duty to propagate the message of Deen to others, it is Allaah who will make them accept our Da'wah. Addressing Rasulullaah SAW., Allaah says, "It is not your duty to guide them but Allaah will guide whomsoever He pleases."
Our duty is to practice on Islaam and to enjoin others to do good and forbid them from evil. Part of this is to ensure that wear the beautiful Sunnah of the beard on our faces. We have no permission to shave it off and only good results will spring from carrying out this blessed act. The hearts of man are in Allaah's control. Carry on doing your Da'wah as you perform Salaatul Haajah, make du'aa all the time and practise on the Shari'ah. Never concentrate on the results because they are in Allaah's hands and need to be left in His care. Our efforts need to be according to the Shari'ah and the Sunnah, our lives need to be like that of Rasulullaah SAW. and our character needs to be like his.

Continue your efforts with dedication and continue making du'aa to Allaah, He will be pleased, will ensure that the fruits of your efforts are realised and that all of the Ummah are benefited by you. And Allaah knows best what is most correct.
N.B. Imbibe the Sunnah in your life and in the lives of the children you are teaching. Do not reject this reality and Allaah will be pleased with you and will save you from punishment.

Fatawa Rahimiyyah vol.2