Islamic experts to reply queries

DUBAI — As part of activities of the holy month of Ramadan, the Dubai Islamic Affairs and Charitable Activities Department has launched a Q&A telephone forum through which Islamic experts and scholars answer queries from Muslims on the aspects of fasting and worship during the holy month.

Afkar Ali Ahmed

Published: Sat 8 Oct 2005, 10:20 AM

Last updated: Thu 2 Apr 2015, 8:48 PM

Dr Hammed Al Shaibani said that a number of Islamic scholars would be available to answer the queries, on special phone numbers dedicated for the purpose.

People have been advised to call Dr Ahmed Al Haddad on 04-2680268 extension 320, Shaikh Tayseer Fayiq on extension 328, Shaikh Ali Humaid 359, Shaikh Shah Gihan 361, Shaikh Mohammed Al Yadali 344, Shaikh Ahmed Zu Al Nurain 345, and Shaikh Hussain Al Sameen 343.

There is also a special number for the Ifta section (04-2666883), on which Shaikh Mohammed Mustafah would be pleased to answer queries on various Islamic issues.

The department has also prepared a ‘Ramadan Bag’ which would contain various publications, including books, calendar and fasting and prayer timings. The bag would be distributed to the public, and to the media to inform the people about the timings of Imsak and Iftar.

Dr Abdull Aziz Al Haddad, Deputy Director of Fatwa and Research, said that since the first day of Ramadan the Fatwa Section has received many queries regarding the usage of nicotine patch, which the Fatwa Committee allows usage of during the holy month of Ramadan based on the decisions of medical consultants.

“Fasting will not be affected if doctors allow a fasting person to use the patches during Ramadan, if that is required as part of medical treatment and if that will benefit his health. Nicotine patches were like perfume and this would affect fasting.”

Dr Al Haddad, however, advised Muslims not use them for pleasure or to satisfy the body’s urge for nicotine though they would be right to use it if a Muslim wanted to quit smoking during Ramadan.

He said the department was very keen to educate Muslims and new Muslims about the importance and benefits of Ramadan and provide them with fatwa based on several Quranic and legal evidences of Islamic teachings.

Land beneath Holy Kaaba oldest piece of earth’s surface

By Eman Al Baik

DUBAI — The Holy Quran includes information on different aspects of life including the creation of the universe, of human beings, of the earth, the skies and much more that science has been attempting to explain, said Dr Zaghloul El Naggar, Professor of Geology, King Fahd University, Saudi Arabia.

He was delivering a lecture as part of the Dubai International Holy Quran Award (Dihqa) activities on Wednesday at the Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

Dr El Naggar called on Muslim scientists to test the age of the rock around the Holy Kaaba to present evidence to all people that Islam is the religion of truths, facts and rights and that Muhammad (peace be upon him) is the final messenger of Allah.

“Scientists have now proved that Makkah is the centre of the earth’s mainland. And that indicated that the land beneath the Holy Kaba is the oldest piece of the solid rocky surface of the earth. Unfortunately, no one tried to prove such a fact until now,” said Dr El Naggar.

However, this fact was indicated in Sura Imran, Verse 96, which quotes a meaning as: “Verily, the first house (of worship) appointed for mankind was that at Bakkah (Makkah), full of blessing, and a guidance for El Alamin, (mankind and jinn).”

Scientific implications in this Ayah: “After long debates that exhausted many scientists over many decades, it was proven in the mid-1960s that the earth was completely immersed in water at a certain phase of its creation, and that there was no dry land exposed above the surface of that water.”

The bottom of this huge ocean exploded into violent volcanic eruptions that kept on continuously throwing molten lava. The lava accumulated in layers over layers causing a mountain range to form on the bottom of this huge ocean. This mountain range continued to grow and mount until its peak emerged out of the water’s surface forming the first part of dry land similar to the various volcanic islands widespread in today’s oceans such as those that comprise Japan, the Philippines, Indonesia and Hawaii.

“The volcanic activity continued, and this island grew gradually as a result of the successive volcanic eruptions that added new areas to it, causing it to become a great continent called the Mother Continent or Pangaea. Which later fragmented into pieces to form the earth’s surface. These fragments are in continuous dynamic movement even now,” he observed.

Also, Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) had said 1,400 years ago: “The Kaaba emerged from beneath the water, and then land formed around it.”

And in another Hadeeth: “It (the sanctified house) was the first thing to come out over the surface of the water in the time of creating the heavens and the earth as a block, then land formed from beneath it.”

“Those two Ahadith are considered a miraculous scientific proof supporting the Prophethood of Muhammad (peace be upon him), proving that he was connected to Allah through Divine Revelation, and was taught by the Creator of the heavens and earth, because no creature before the middle of the 20^th century realised any of these facts,” said Dr El Naggar, who has written 25 books on different Islamic topics. Four more are in various stages of completion.