[AYAZ]

Seeking knowledge

Q1. Is it an authentic Hadith that says that one should seek education, even though it requires him to travel to China for the purpose?
(Emran K.)
A1. I could not find the statement, ‘Seek knowledge, even though it may be in China ,’ in any book of Hadith. It is a famous statement, and it is often thought of as a Hadith, but I believe it is not. It may be the word of one of the Prophet’s companions, most probably Ali ibn Abi Talib. However, its message is in line with Islamic teachings. What it signifies is that knowledge is to be sought because it is needed in every way, by both the individual who seeks it and the Muslim community. So, no matter what difficulties one may face in acquiring knowledge, he should try to pursue it as much as he or she can.
Q2. When was the Mit’ah marriage forbidden: During the Tabuk expedition or in Khaybar?
(Name withheld)
A2. To the best of my knowledge, temporary marriage, or Mit’ah, was forbidden by the Prophet during the Tabuk expedition. The prohibition might have been stated first during the Khaybar expedition and repeated again on the later expedition. Anyhow, Mit’ah is forbidden for all time. The ruling cannot be changed. Any marriage must be intended to last for life in order to be valid. If circumstances change and it ends in divorce, this is acceptable, provided that the marriage was never intended to be temporary, whether by the husband or by agreement between the two parties. If the man intends it to be temporary without telling his prospective wife, he is guilty of deception and this is forbidden in Islam.
Q3. Is staying in Mina during the days of pilgrimage obligatory or recommended?
(Name withheld)
A3. Schools of thought differ on the status of the practice of staying in Mina for two or three nights after the day of Arafat during the pilgrimage. Some schools of thought consider it obligatory, and require a pilgrim who does not observe such stay to compensate for it by sacrificing a sheep and giving all its meat to the poor. Other schools maintain that it is a Sunnah, or recommended. Hence, if one does not observe it, one would have done badly, but no compensation is required. These days, with the great number of pilgrims making Mina too overcrowded on these days, it is permissible for any pilgrim who does not find a proper space for his stay in Mina to stay in its neighborhood, or even in Makkah if that is his available option.
Q4. Where exactly is the Multazam?
(Name withheld)
A4. The Multazam is the space underneath the door of the Kaaba. It is recommended to stand there for supplication after finishing the Tawaf. It is also recommended to actually be in contact with the Kaaba when doing so. Obviously, there is always crowding there. It is not permissible for anyone to cause harm or inconvenience to others. Therefore, if you find that standing will interfere with the Tawaf of other people or will cause harm to others, then it is better to step aside or move out and say your supplication elsewhere in the Kaaba.