Miscellaneous questions pertaining to Imaamat
Question:-
I have a few questions, all interlinked to each other, and I hope you will be able answer them for me. I will try to break them up into single questions:
What is the ruling according to the Hanafi school of thought in regards to trimming the hair on the head at different lengths? It is not distinctly different lengths, but nowadays men do this blend cut, such that the hair is shorter closer to the edge of the head (and longer on other parts of the head).
If the above is impermissible, what is the ruling in regards to performing Salaah behind such a person? My question pertains particularly to Taraweeh in Ramadhaan, as most of the Masaajid in my city have Huffaz that have fancy hairstyles. What does the layman do in this case?
What about the Fardh Salaah?
Is there a different ruling for followers of the Hanafi and Shafi’ee Madhaahib? If a person lives in a predominantly Shafi’ee locality (but the person is a Hanafi), then is it acceptable for him to follow the Shafi’ee Imaam (assuming the rules are different for a Shafi’ee)? I understand that this question maybe invalid, if there is no difference in the ruling between the Madhaahib.
Similarly, in my locality, majority of the Imaams wear their trousers below their ankles? Do the Shafi’ee followers follow a different ruling from the Hanafi followers? What should the Hanafi followers do (if there isn’t a Hanafi Masjid within close proximity)?
Answer:-
If the hair is cut at different lengths in line with the Kuffar trends, then this is referred to as ‘Tashabbuh Bil Kuffar’ (emulating or imitating the Kuffar), which is obviously not permissible. The Quraan states, “And do not incline towards the wrongdoers (Kuffar) else the fire of Jahannam will reach you.” [Re:- Surah Hood Verse 113] Such hairstyles should be totally avoided and one should try to maintain the same hair length throughout.
If an Imaam cuts his hair at different lengths in emulation with the Kuffar trends, then it is Makrooh-e-Tahreemi for him to lead the Salaah. [Re:- Fataawa Mahmoodiyya Pg.128 Vol.6] The Salaah will be discharged behind such an Imaam but with abhorrence. The desire of every believer should be to perform a perfect Salaah in accordance to the Sunnah.
In your particular instance, the righteous and Allah-fearing people that desire performing Salaah in accordance to the Shariah and Sunnah, should perform their Taraweeh Salaah in some Musallah, or Madrasah classroom, or even a garage where a righteous Imaam (whose appearance is in accordance to Shariah) will lead them in Salaah. If finding a pious Hafiz is an issue in your region then a righteous Hafiz of another area should be invited to lead the Taraweeh Salaah. When faced with unfavourable conditions in worldly matters, we try to resolve our matters to the best of our ability (even if it means having to spend our wealth, health and time), then why not adopt the same fervour and desire in Deeni matters (when matters of Deen are far more important that worldly matters)?
The same ruling that is applicable for Taraweeh Salaah is applicable to the daily Fardh Salaah. Seeing that finding a suitable venue to perform Salaah behind a righteous Alim (that is adherent to the Sunnah) is not possible in your area, a Musallah should be set up as a temporary measure, and a proper Imaam that adheres fully to the Shariah employed. Thereafter, a proper Masjid should be established in the area. When we are sincere in our intention, then Allah Ta’ala will open the way from the unseen, hence, we should never be despondent, but adopt a positive approach. The minimum that can be done at this stage is performing two Rakaats of Salaah, discharging a little Sadaqah, and making Dua to Allah Ta’ala to open the way.
The verse of the Quraan Sharif of not inclining towards the ways of the Kuffar (which we have quoted above) is a general command that is applicable to one and all. Hence, there is no difference of opinion between the Madhaahib in this regard. Similarly, the command of wearing the trousers above the ankles is applicable to every believer, hence, there is no difference of opinion between the Madhaahib. Rasulullah Salallahu Alaihi Wasallam is reported to have said, “The garment that is below the ankle will be in the fire of Jahannam.” In another narration Rasulullah Salallahu Alaihi Wasallam is reported to have said, “Allah Ta’ala will not look at the person (with mercy) that allows his clothing to drag (on the ground) due to pride.” A youngster once came to Umar Radiallahu Anhu whose trousers were touching the ground. Umar Radiallahu Anhu told him, “Raise your trousers, as this is more pure for your clothing, and more piety for your Rabb, and lengthening the garment (below the ankles) is a sign of pride and arrogance.”
ما أسفل من الكعبين من الإزار في النار “. وكان يقول: ” من جر ثوبه من خيلاء لم ينظر الله إليه “. وكان يقول: ” أزرة المؤمن إلى أنصاف الساقين “. ودخل شاب على عمر رضي الله عنه، فإذا إزاره يمس الأرض، فقال له عمر ارفع إزارك؛ فهو أتقى لثوبك، وأتقى لربك. فتطويل الثياب شعار المتكبرين والمرحين. (حقيقة السنة والبدعة ص201 ج1)
We hope that the above answers your questions. It is indeed very pleasing to note that you have the desire to adhere to the Shariah and Sunnah. This is a great bounty of Allah Ta’ala in this day and age, and indeed fortunate are those that are blessed with this concern.
ALLAH TA’ALA KNOWS BEST!
ANSWERED BY:
Mufti Mohammed Desai
Date: 21 Rajab 1443 / 23 February 2022