Following hadith was sent to me by a friend. I suspect he used this hadith to persuade his wife to take off her hijab. Needless to say she unwillingly gave up on hadith to keep the peace in the household. I am wondering if you can give me some insight/explanation/circumstances regarding the following hadith.
There is no rush, reply me whenever you get a chance.

The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: “The most enviable of my friends is a believer with little property who finds pleasure in prayer, who performs the worship of his Lord well, who obeys Him in secret, who is obscure among men, who is not pointed out by people, and whose provision is a bare sufficiency with which he is content.”
Al-Tirmidhi, Hadith 1352

Assalamu ‘alaikum wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuh.

This is a very mistaken understanding of the hadeeth. One should ask himself, why thousands of Muslim scholars, sunni and shi’ah, orthodox and sufi; hanbali and hanafi; Indonesian and Egyptian; early and contemporary, why all failed to understand the hadeeth in this way?
The hadeeth simply emphasizes the quality of humbleness and advises against pride, showing off, egotism and self centeredness.
If the women of some country/culture/religion decided to walk out of their homes topless, are we going to follow in their footsteps so that we are not distinguished? Since when are Muslims required to imitate or resemble the non-Muslims? In fact the opposite is required as stated in the Prophet’s hadeeth: “he who imitates a people is one of them”
It is a blessing to have a righteous woman willing to wear hijab. I know many people who live in distress and cry with tears because their wives don’t want to wear hijab. How could we meet a blessing from Him with rejection?
Allah knows best.

Asalam Alaikum Shiekh Hatem,

First I was wondering about the ruling that pants cannot hang below the ankle. I have been wondering about this because when I sit down, my pants are above my ankles, but when I stand, they fall to the top of my shoes.
Should I get shorter pants because of this? Thank you for any advice.

Also I was wondering about my health. I have lipoma’s (fat lumps) all over my body. I know I can get them removed, but I do not want to go to the doctor because I believe that if Allah chose this affliction for me, it is for a reason. Recently my sister, forced me to go the doctor for a urinary track infection. I have just started taking medication for it, but I feel like this is an insult to Allah. I am very confused in this issue. I want to get insurance, but I feel that if I do get it I am no longer relying on Allah to protect me. I am sorry to bother you with such a dumb question. I have been wondering about this for some time so I just figured I would ask.
I am sorry once again.

Thank you Shiekh Hatem for your time, I know you have more pressing business, and I apologize for using your time. Thank you.

Peace to all,

All praise be to Allah, and may his peace and blessings be on the last and best prophet and messenger, Muhammad.
The lengthening of the garment below the ankle, which is forbidden if done with pride and disliked when done without pride doesn’t apply to pants, but rather to izar, emamah and qamees. As indicated by a hadeeth reported by abu Dawood in which the Prophet (May Allah Bless Him) said:
“الإسبال في الإزار و القميص، و العمامة، من جر منها شيئا خيلاء، لم ينظر الله إليه يوم القيامة”
“Letting one’s garment reach below the ankle applies to the lower garment (izar), the one peace garment (qamees), and the turban (emamah). Anyone dragging any of them out of pride, Allah will not look at him on the day of judgment.”
As for medical treatment, here is a translation of the decision of the fiqh assembly that belongs to the OIC:
Seeking medical treatment is originally permissible as is clarified in the verses of the Glorious Qur’ân and the actions and Hadîth of the Prophet (may the peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) and because it is conducive to preserving life, which is one of the major purposes of Islamic Sharî’ah. The rulings concerning medical treatment differ according to the different circumstances and the people.
1. It is obligatory if ignoring it leads to harming the sick person or one of his organs, if it leads to his handicap, or if the disease is transmitted to others as in the case of infectious diseases.
2. It is recommended if ignoring it would be conducive to weakening the body only and without the other outcomes mentioned above.
3. It is permissible if it is not included under the two previous cases.
4. It is disliked if it is carried out through a procedure that is feared to cause complications that are more harmful than the illness itself.

As for plastic surgery, it is permissible to treat a disease or anomaly, such as the lipomas you have. It would be forbidden to change the normal creation of God. For example if someone had a big nose within the normal, after considering human diversity, then he may not have surgery to make it smaller. Yet, if he was born with six digits, cleft lip or the likes, he/she may seek surgical correction.

Your concern about having less reliance on Allah if you seek treatment is an indication of the softness of your heart, yet it is invalid. The biggest proof against this line of thinking is that our most beloved Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) did seek medical treatment and commanded his followers to seek it, despite being the best of those who relied on Allah and put their trust in Him.

Allah knows best.

As salam alaykum, Since I got pregnant, various people have been advising me to recite Surah Muryum often as it eases the labor. Is there any basis for this assertion? Should I start reciting Surah Muryum frequently? I`ve also heard that the dua` made during the labor (during the pain) is accepted. Is this true? Also, are there any dua`s etc. that we can make to make the labor easy and less painful? Are there any general dua`s from Sunnah that I can make use of for stress/anxiety? Jazakum Allah Khayraa, Was salaam

All praise be to Allah, and may his peace and blessings be on the last and best prophet and messenger, Muhammad.
There is no proof on that particular effect of surat Maryam. However you may use any part of the Quran as incantation, including surat Maryam. The reason why people associated that with surat Maryam is because it mentions the pregnancy and child birth of Maryam.
The Du’a’ of people in distress is more likely to be accepted by Allah who is near those in pain and disease. He says:
أَمَّن يُجِيبُ الْمُضْطَرَّ إِذَا دَعَاهُ وَيَكْشِفُ السُّوءَ وَيَجْعَلُكُمْ خُلَفَاء الْأَرْضِ أَإِلَهٌ مَّعَ اللَّهِ قَلِيلاً مَّا تَذَكَّرُونَ”
“Or, Who listens to the (soul) distressed when it calls on Him, and Who relieves its suffering, and makes you (mankind) inheritors of the earth? (Can there be another) god besides Allah. Little it is that ye heed!” (27/62)
You may say the following supplications
” اللهم لا سهل إلا ما جعلته سهلاً وأنت تجعل الحزن إذا شئت سهلاً ”
“O Allah nothing is easy unless you make it so, and it is you who turns hardships into ease.”
If you are hurting, you may say the following while touching the site of pain:
“بسم الله، ثلاثاً وقولي سبع مرات: أعوذ بالله وقدرته من شر ما أجد وأحاذر”
“In the name of Allah (three times) and I seek refuge in Allah, his might and power from that which I suffer and that which I fear.”
Incantations are permissible as long as you use the Quran and authentic sunnah. The best verses and chapters of the Quran in this regard would be: al-Fatihah (1) and al-Mu’awedhatain (113) & (114). You may also repeat ayat al-Kursi (2/255).
May Allah make it easy for you and grant you a good progeny who will be a pleasure for your eyes and comfort for your heart.
Allah knows best.

Asalaamu alaikum wa rahmatullah.
Is it permissible for women to have cosmetic surgery?
Is plastic surgery allowed if it’s to correct a defect, and if so, how is the determination made whether it’s necessary or not? Thank you and jazak Allah khair.
All praise be to Allah, and may his peace and blessings be on the last and best prophet and messenger, Muhammad.

Plastic surgery is allowed as a treatment to correct an actual abnormality, whether that abnormality is congenital or acquired.
It is forbidden if meant for beautification if there is no abnormality. Allah created us in different shapes, and his creation is all good.
The bottom line is that if the person has an abnormality outside of the normal human diversity, s/he may have the surgery.
Allah knows best.

My husband talked me into taking drugs with him when I was down and depressed. I then stopped because of guilt. I tried to stop taking drugs but my husband kept on pestering me at one point I became mentally addicted to the drugs. My parents took me away from him for a while I then returned to him because I did not get on with my parents. I started reading my namaz to stop me from taking drug even when my husband kept on asking me to. Then one day I vowed to my husband on Allah`s name that I would never take drugs for long time but I didn`t and my husband talked me into it again. I feel like I have commited a major sin I feel like I am cursed. What should I do to make things right? Please help.

All praise be to Allah, and may his peace and blessings be on the last and best prophet and messenger, Muhammad.
Sister, never lose hope in Allah’s mercy. It encompasses all things.
Allah says: ” Say: “O my Servants who have transgressed against their souls! Despair not of the Mercy of Allah. for Allah forgives all sins: for He is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.” (39/53)
The fact that you feel guilty is a sign of faith. You should repent with determination to not relapse anymore into taking drugs. Depending on what you use, you may need medical help to quit. In his case, you must seek this medical help.
You should not obey your husband at the expense of disobeying Allah. If he will lead you in such direction, and you can’t resist him, you should seek divorce. If you are powerful enough to save yourself and him, then that would be best. At any rate, you may need a period of separation from him until you have completely recovered.
Allah knows best.