By Ishola Balogun

In the name of Allah, Most Compassionate, Most Merciful.

Someone long time ago, put the question to me on the use of wig by some muslim sisters even though they still abide by the use of hijab.  Islam much has it permits the use of ornaments and other kinds of beautifiers for women does not sanction the use of wig.  The religion wants us to remain as natural as posssible.  Wearing the hair of another human, man or a woman, or joining human hair to one’s hair has been clearly forbidden by the Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w)

The act is viewed in Islam as deceit and not encouraged. The Prophet did not permit it even for a woman whose natural hair had fallen.

A’isha (r.t.a) narrated that an Ansari married woman at a time became sick that all her hair fell out. They (her family and friends) intended to join her hair with unnatural hair, so they asked the Prophet (s.a.w) who said: “Allah has cursed the woman who joins her or someone else’s hair (with the hair of another man or woman) and the woman who asks for her hair to be joined with the hair of another.” (Sahih al-Bukhari, no 5589), the hadiths was related by Abu Huraira.

The Prophet (s.a.w) said: “Allah has cursed the woman who adds hair extensions and the woman who asked for it to be done.” (Sahîh al-Bukhârî (5934) and Sahîh Muslim (2122)

Therefore, using human hair in any shape or form is unlawful. It is prohibited to join one’s hair with the hair of another human or to wear a wig made out of human hair, regardless of whether the hair is completely joined and fitted into the hair or whether it is merely a wig which can be removed and worn whenever one desires. The ruling would be same even if one had a valid excuse in that one’s hair fell out, as the Messenger of Allah (s.a.w) did not permit it even in such situations.

I also understand that some scholars at a time considered that what if the attachment was from from animal, would it be permisible?  Yet, the popular opinion among the scholars was that it will only be permissible if it was made from animal hair other than a pig.

“To join one’s hair with the hair of another human is unlawful (haram), whether it is one’s own (removed) hair or someone else’s hair, as mentioned in al-Ikhtiyar sharh al-Mukhtar. However, there is nothing wrong (la ba’s) for a woman to put the fur (hair) of a camel or a goat (or other animals except a pig) in her hair strands, as mentioned in Qadikhan.” (al-Fatawa al-Hindiyya, 5/358)

Apart from the fact that we may not know from which animal a wig or hair attachment was made, it will then be plausible to abstain from it and remain natural.

We may also have to contend with the difficulty of getting water across the head while performing ablution or during the ritual bath, ghusl.  No matter how synthetic the attachment is, it becomes an external thing on you and should be treated as external during the ritual of salat.

Virtues of healing with natural medicine

By Harun Razaq

The Prophet used natural medicine such as herbs for treatment and cure of ailments during his life time. These prophetic natural medicine also include herbs used by his righteous companions which he (Prophet (SAW) had earlier consented to.

Most of these materials are mentioned in the Qur’an and Hadith. For example from the Qur’an we have the following:

Honey: Allah refers to honey as healing for mankind in Qur’an 16 verses 68-69. Ripe Dates: Allah said to Maryam “and shake the trunk of the date palm towards you, it will let fall fresh ripe-dates upon you, so eat and drink and be glad” (Q 19 Maryam: 25-26). Pomegranate: Allah said: “In them (both) will be fruits and date palms and pomegranates”. (55 Ar-Rahman:68).

Myrtle: Allah said: “And also corn, with (its) leaves and stalk for fodder and sweet-scented plants” (Q55 :12), also see Q 56:88-89. Ginger: Allah said: “And they will be given to drink there of a (cup of wine) mixed with Zanjabil (ginger) (Q76:17) Olive Oil:  Allah refers to Zaitun in  Q95:1, Q24:35. Tiin (Figs): It’s one of the blessed trees mentioned by Allah.

And from Hadith we have the following: Honey: It is stated in the two Sahih that Abdullah Ibn Ja’fae said: I saw the prophet (SAW) eat the snake cucumber with ripe dates. Pomegranate: It is narrated from Alli that: “Eat the pomegranate with its pulp for it constipates the stomach”. Myrtle: In Sahih Muslim, the prophet (SAW) said: The one who offered a myrtle to him should not repulse as it is light and perfumed.

Ginger: Abu sa’d Khudr (RIA) said “The king of Byzantines presented a jar of ginger to the prophet (SAW) so he gave each and me also, a morsel to eat”Zamzam: It emerged in answer to prophet Ibrahim request in Qur’an e.g. Q14:37. The prophet (SAW) said concerning Zamzam water: It is useful for all intended purpose, if you drink it for healing, Allah will heal you, if you drink it for protection, Allah will protect you and if you drink it to quench your thirst, Allah will satisfy you. (Ibn Majah, Ahmad).

Habatussauda: Abu Hurairah report that the prophet (SAW) said: There is no disease, except that its cure is found in Habatu Saauda (Muslim) etc. (2) Its efficacy was recently confirmed by the experiments of the modern scientists. (3) Its provide salvation to the problem that have been regarded as out of hand by modern doctors.

(4) They were blessed materials for example Q 24:35 referred to Olive tree as blessed tree.

Over 300 Imams for Mogaji’s Fidau

All is set for the eight-day fidau prayer of Alhaja Abibat Mogaji, the mother of the National Leader of the Action Congress of Nigeria, ACN, on Sunday.  The occasion according to reports reaching Vanguard’s Facing the Kaaba indicates that all the Chief Imams in Lagos including their counterparts from other states in the South West will attend the occasion.

Sources confirmed to Vanguard that various chief Imams from Epe, Ikorodu, Ikeja, Badagry and others from other  states will be there to take part in the recitation of the Qur’an for the soul of Alhaja Mogaji.

“The attendance will be more than the over 100 Imams that were present at the third day fidau held last Tuesday. Each of them will be given roles to play.” he added.

“You know she was also the Iya-Adini of Lagos and everybody wants to be part of the prayer.”

The event which will hold at the Tafawa Balewa Square, Lagos will also attract eminent personalities from all walks of life.   Like the third day Fidau, there will be recitation of Holy Qur’an, the khutbah and lectures.

Mogaji, President-General of Association of Market Men and Women in Nigeria and mother of former Governor of Lagos State, Bola Tinubu, died last Saturday at the age of 96 and was buried the following day according to Islamic rites.

…as Ansar-ud-Deen mourns

The Ansar-ud-Deen Society of Nigeria (ADS) recently described the demise of the President-General, Association of Nigerian Market Men and Women, Habibat Mogaji, as an irreparable loss.

The group, in a statement issued by its Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Muibi Adebanjo, said that the late mother of the former governor of Lagos State, Bola Tinubu, was an accomplished woman leader.

ADS said it received the news of the demise with total submission to the will of God, adding that she had lived a purposeful life devoted to humanity.

“Mama Mogaji had contributed to the development of Islam in Nigeria through her various sponsorships of Islamic programmes, particularly on the electronic media.

“Ansar-ud-Deen Society, as a foremost Islamic organisation in Nigeria, will for long remember the support and contributions of the late Mogaji, a distinguished Muslim woman and an accomplished woman leader,” it said.

The Society joined the Muslim congregation to commiserate with the entire family of Mogaji and her son, Tinubu, on the loss.

It also commiserated with Gov. Babatunde Fashola, Oba Rilwan Akinolu of Lagos as well as Alhaji Abdul-Lateef Okunnu, the ADS President.