:salam2:
I see that some brothers and sisters are quick to either pass solutions..or provide fatwas about this situation..jazakom Allah khair for the good intentions you have..but read this..
Once I heard story from a sahih hadith related by Shaikh Mohammad Hassan from Musnad Al-Imam Ahmad..and the hadith is narrated by Jaber (radhiya Allaho 'anho)..and it goes:
"We were on a journey, and one of the men with us was injured on his head because of a rock, and he had a wet-dream. Hence he asked his companions 'do you find for me an excuse to make tayamum?'. His companions said 'No! we do not find an excuse for you and you are able to handle water'. Thus, he made ghasl and died. When Rasulullah ('alayhi assalat wassalam) was informed of this he said 'they killed him!, may Allah kill them! [in another narration 'may Allah fight them!], did they not ask? should they not have known [the answer]? for indeed the healing of the one who is ignorant or not knowledgeable is in his asking [questions]'"
The moral of the story?!
The men answered the injured correctly..water was readily available for him and tayammum [performing ablution with *dust*] cannot be a replacement for wudu'u with water..but what was their mistake?!!!
They gave a ruling according to a "general issue" of fiqh!..they did not stop to think about the situation of the injured man..and *most importantly*..they did not stop from *answering* his inquiry though they did not possess the *necessary knowledge*..
That's why Rasulullah said "did they not ask? should they not have known? for indeed the healing of the one who is ignorant or not knowledgeable is in his asking [questions]"
It takes but seconds to google a fatwa..or plug in its topic in this or that site..*but*..are we *certain* that it applies 100% to the situation beforehand?!..can we be *certain* that it will satisfy *all aspects* of the situation laid before us?!..unless we have the knowledge to add or render the fatwa different in its answer..*correctly* with *thorough sharia'a research and evidence*..we sure *can't*
So fear Allah brothers and sisters..you intend good..this is apparent mashallah..and baraka Allah in each and every one of you!..but wallahi it's not worth it to write something now..only to stand before Allah one day..and be held accountable for it..*though*..and put a 100 hundred lines under *though*..you meant *good* in writing it or providing it!
Sister alf2..there's no doubt you are a woman of good faith..seek Allah sister..this can very well be a test for you..and Allah is longing to hear *your voice* asking Him for His guidance and help with the situation..make dua'a in your prayers that Allah guides your husband to Islam and makes him firm in his belief in it..especially when you make prostration in prayer!..and make a lot of istighfar (saying "astaghfirullah" repeatedly, while counting on your fingers)..at every chance you get do that..dua'a and istighfar are a weapon for the Muslim who is in need..so hang tight to this weapon and don't let it go..and don't tire from hanging on to it..wallahi you will be amazed by what Allah will bring your way sister!
At the same time my dear..locate the nearest masjid to your house (you may use: www.islamicfinder.org..for this purpose)..and ask to speak to the Imam..tell him of your situation thoroughly..don't leave any details out..and ask him for his advice..then ask him if he'd be willing to speak to your husband as well..answer any questions he may have about Islam..clear any misconceptions he may have accumulated about it..and so forth..pretty much..do the work you're doing with possibly new perspectives and new knowledge..I am sure your husband comes back to the U.S. during school breaks and such..so seize this opportunity sister..
Don't take the easy way out..and don't listen to anyone except those with good wisdom and good knowledge in life and the sharia sister!..if you love your husband (and it seems that you do mashallah)..then surely..going back and forth to a masjid..or speaking to an Imam or two..will count to *nothing* for you because you're willing to do more if you have to..so seek out help..stay patient and strong (especially in faith and trust in Allah)..and make dua'a and istighfar at every single chance you get!..and then seek people with good knowledge who can give you answers for *your* situation..specifically what *you* are experiencing!
I apologize for the lengthy reply..and may Allah count your husband amongst the guided..and you two live under the shade of Allah and His Deen..ameen..ameen..ameen
I see that some brothers and sisters are quick to either pass solutions..or provide fatwas about this situation..jazakom Allah khair for the good intentions you have..but read this..
Once I heard story from a sahih hadith related by Shaikh Mohammad Hassan from Musnad Al-Imam Ahmad..and the hadith is narrated by Jaber (radhiya Allaho 'anho)..and it goes:
"We were on a journey, and one of the men with us was injured on his head because of a rock, and he had a wet-dream. Hence he asked his companions 'do you find for me an excuse to make tayamum?'. His companions said 'No! we do not find an excuse for you and you are able to handle water'. Thus, he made ghasl and died. When Rasulullah ('alayhi assalat wassalam) was informed of this he said 'they killed him!, may Allah kill them! [in another narration 'may Allah fight them!], did they not ask? should they not have known [the answer]? for indeed the healing of the one who is ignorant or not knowledgeable is in his asking [questions]'"
The moral of the story?!
The men answered the injured correctly..water was readily available for him and tayammum [performing ablution with *dust*] cannot be a replacement for wudu'u with water..but what was their mistake?!!!
They gave a ruling according to a "general issue" of fiqh!..they did not stop to think about the situation of the injured man..and *most importantly*..they did not stop from *answering* his inquiry though they did not possess the *necessary knowledge*..
That's why Rasulullah said "did they not ask? should they not have known? for indeed the healing of the one who is ignorant or not knowledgeable is in his asking [questions]"
It takes but seconds to google a fatwa..or plug in its topic in this or that site..*but*..are we *certain* that it applies 100% to the situation beforehand?!..can we be *certain* that it will satisfy *all aspects* of the situation laid before us?!..unless we have the knowledge to add or render the fatwa different in its answer..*correctly* with *thorough sharia'a research and evidence*..we sure *can't*
So fear Allah brothers and sisters..you intend good..this is apparent mashallah..and baraka Allah in each and every one of you!..but wallahi it's not worth it to write something now..only to stand before Allah one day..and be held accountable for it..*though*..and put a 100 hundred lines under *though*..you meant *good* in writing it or providing it!
Sister alf2..there's no doubt you are a woman of good faith..seek Allah sister..this can very well be a test for you..and Allah is longing to hear *your voice* asking Him for His guidance and help with the situation..make dua'a in your prayers that Allah guides your husband to Islam and makes him firm in his belief in it..especially when you make prostration in prayer!..and make a lot of istighfar (saying "astaghfirullah" repeatedly, while counting on your fingers)..at every chance you get do that..dua'a and istighfar are a weapon for the Muslim who is in need..so hang tight to this weapon and don't let it go..and don't tire from hanging on to it..wallahi you will be amazed by what Allah will bring your way sister!
At the same time my dear..locate the nearest masjid to your house (you may use: www.islamicfinder.org..for this purpose)..and ask to speak to the Imam..tell him of your situation thoroughly..don't leave any details out..and ask him for his advice..then ask him if he'd be willing to speak to your husband as well..answer any questions he may have about Islam..clear any misconceptions he may have accumulated about it..and so forth..pretty much..do the work you're doing with possibly new perspectives and new knowledge..I am sure your husband comes back to the U.S. during school breaks and such..so seize this opportunity sister..
Don't take the easy way out..and don't listen to anyone except those with good wisdom and good knowledge in life and the sharia sister!..if you love your husband (and it seems that you do mashallah)..then surely..going back and forth to a masjid..or speaking to an Imam or two..will count to *nothing* for you because you're willing to do more if you have to..so seek out help..stay patient and strong (especially in faith and trust in Allah)..and make dua'a and istighfar at every single chance you get!..and then seek people with good knowledge who can give you answers for *your* situation..specifically what *you* are experiencing!
I apologize for the lengthy reply..and may Allah count your husband amongst the guided..and you two live under the shade of Allah and His Deen..ameen..ameen..ameen