Foundation for Islamic Unity & Development

A Liberian Muslim, Mouaz BF Kromah writes 👇👇👇👇👇

“This morning, some brothers from Liberia inquired about the ruling on a non-Muslim praying alongside Muslims, particularly in light of recent events in the country. We must approach this issue analytically, free from emotion. Before delving into the matter, it is essential to clarify the conditions for the acceptance of prayer and the associated rewards. Seeking Allah's guidance, I wish to state that the validity of prayer depends on nine conditions. In other words, prayer is not accepted from anyone unless the worshipper fulfills these criteria:

1. “Islam:”This is achieved through the two testimonies of faith.
2. “Discernment.”
3. “Purity of the body:” This includes a pure heart, free from polytheism.
4. “Purity of clothing and the area.”
5. “Freedom from ritual impurity:” This encompasses both major and minor forms of ritual impurity.
6. “Covering the private parts.”
7. “The prayer time must have started.”
8. “Facing the qibla.”
9. “Intention.”

At this point, we must ask: Did former President George Weah meet the above-mentioned conditions? Everyone is aware of the answer I provided.

We pose another question, which we will answer with transparency and without favoritism: Is it permissible for a non-Muslim to pray with Muslims, even if he openly identifies as a non-Muslim, whether Christian or otherwise?

Seeking Allah's guidance, we affirm that scholars—particularly those from the four schools of Islamic jurisprudence—agree that it is impermissible for a non-Muslim to pray with Muslims, as their prayer is legally invalid. Prayer cannot be valid without faith and Islam.

This brings us to a new question: Is it permissible for a non-Muslim to enter a mosque? Seeking Allah's guidance once again, I state that it is permissible for a non-Muslim to enter a mosque with the consent of the imams (with the exception of the two holy mosques) for a genuine need or to invite people to Islam. Evidence for this is found in the story of Thamama ibn Aththal, who was tied to a pillar in the mosque and later converted to Islam after hearing the Quran recited and witnessing the good treatment he received there. However, it’s noteworthy that their presence in the mosque yesterday raised questions; mosques are built primarily for the recitation of the Quran, preaching, and teaching, as the Prophet said in one of his authentic hadiths.

However, an important question arises in this context: Was the presence of former President George Weah and other leaders in the mosque for Islamic missionary purposes or purely political reasons?

The main point is this: If a person openly declares their disbelief and shows signs of it, then they are prohibited from praying in the mosque, according to the consensus of the four schools of thought (jurists) for several reasons:

1. This is disrespectful; prayer is one of the greatest rituals of Islam, and Islam itself is a condition for its validity.
2. A person may arrive late to the prayer, and their true condition could be unknown, leading others to mistakenly treat them as a Muslim.
3. According to the view that a person is deemed a Muslim outwardly if they pray—which is the position of Abu Hanifa and Ahmad—if they later renounce their faith, they are considered an apostate, and the punishment for apostasy is death.

As long as we recognize their disbelief, it is not permissible to allow them to engage in actions that may lead to apostasy, given the necessity of leaving them in their disbelief and the inability to impose a punishment.

In conclusion, the imams and scholars of Liberia must fear Allah, adhere to His commands, remain steadfast in the face of challenges, and seek guidance from Allah. They should return all matters to Him, His Messenger, and knowledgeable scholars regarding religious issues, avoiding involvement in matters about which they lack knowledge.

And Allah knows best and is the best guide. We ask Allah to guide us all to the straight path and to make us among the guided, not the misguided or those who mislead others. We also pray for the guidance of George Weah, the current president Joseph Boikay, and others like them to embrace Islam. Allah is the guardian of that and is capable of it. May Allah’s blessings and peace be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and companions.”

We condemn in the strongest terms the use of force on a harmless montrer & kid. We demand an independent investigation by the police to establish the facts. Justice must be served.

Imam Mouaz BF Kromah writes

**The Effects of Backbiting and Gossip on Fasting and the Fasting Person**

This issue has been frequently raised during this blessed month, and many people have asked me to share my perspective, especially in English. However, before I elaborate, I would like to clarify that I am not presenting any new ideas of my own. Instead, I have drawn upon several Quranic verses and hadiths from the sayings of the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him), as well as insights from respected scholars and the understanding of the righteous predecessors on this serious matter. In response to the requests from our brothers and sisters, here is a brief answer.

Backbiting and gossip are forbidden at all times. Allah Almighty says: "And do not backbite one another" (Al-Hujurat: 12). The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) defined backbiting as "mentioning your brother in a way he dislikes" (Narrated by Muslim). He also stated: "A gossiper will not enter Paradise" (Narrated by Muslim). A gossiper is someone who stirs up trouble among people and spreads rumors with the intent to cause discord.

The sin of these two actions is compounded if they occur during fasting. Fasting purifies the soul, heart, and limbs. The one who abstains from food and drink—permissible outside of fasting—should also refrain from what is impermissible at any time, namely backbiting and gossiping. It is well-known in Islamic law that whoever harms others will be punished on the Day of Resurrection by having some of their good deeds taken away. If they have no good deeds, their bad deeds will be transferred to them, and they will be cast into the Fire. This is what the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) conveyed. Thus, a fasting person who harms others with their tongue will lose some of the good deeds they earned through fasting and other means. What reward will remain for them for their fasting? This is why the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) said: "Whoever does not give up false speech and acting upon it, Allah has no need for him to give up his food and drink" (Narrated by al-Bukhari). This means Allah Almighty wants to refine us through fasting, not to punish us. The nobility of the fasting person should reach such a level that they do not respond to insults with similar insults. The Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said: "If one of you is fasting, let him neither utter obscene words nor raise his voice. If someone insults him or fights with him, let him say, 'I am fasting'" (Agreed upon).

In conclusion, we state that backbiting, gossiping, and other verbal sins do not invalidate the fast, but they do diminish the reward of the fasting person, and if committed excessively, may completely wipe out their reward. Therefore, I urge Muslims during Ramadan and throughout the year to avoid this heinous act, which could lead to ruin in the Hereafter, particularly among sisters and women who may engage in such behaviors.

In summary, backbiting and similar transgressions of Islamic law contradict the objectives of fasting. Although they do not invalidate the fast according to jurisprudential perspectives—as most scholars have stated—they do render it incomplete from a purposive standpoint, diminishing its significance. It may be out of Allah’s mercy that He did not make backbiting invalidate the fast, as it is a challenging behavior to avoid entirely, and no one is safe from it except those whom Allah Almighty protects.

I ask Allah to forgive our sins and overlook our misdeeds before the Day of Judgment, and to accept our fasting and all good deeds.