Leek (karrath)

كَرَّاث

Karrath is a known plant of foul smell, distinct from garlic, onion and radish. The jurists agree that eating a strong-smelling plant such as onion, garlic, leek or radish is an excuse to stay away from congregational prayer when the smell cannot be removed, on the hadith of Jabir. Eating it without intending to go to the mosque is disliked. Most jurists allow the husband to stop his wife eating such things. On salam in leeks the Malikis and Shafi'is allow it and the Hanafis refuse it. The jurists in general accept the sale of leek once it has ripened, on the hadith forbidding the sale of fruit before its ripeness. ¹ ² ³ ⁴

Summary

Karrath is a known plant of foul smell. It is distinct from garlic, onion and radish; each is a different kind of herb ¹ ².

Eating it and attending the congregation

The jurists agree that eating a strong-smelling plant such as onion, garlic, leek or radish is an excuse to stay from the congregation when the smell cannot be removed, on the hadith of Jabir: "whoever eats of this plant, let him not come near our mosque" ². Eating it without intending to attend the mosque is disliked, according to Ibn Qudama; the Malikis hold that it is forbidden if one intends the mosque, and al-Qalyubi holds that it is not disliked for one who can remove the smell, while eating it to escape an obligation such as Friday prayer is forbidden. Al-Nawawi reports the agreement of those whose opinion counts that these herbs are lawful ² ³.

The husband's right

The jurists state that a husband may stop his wife from eating what has a foul smell, such as garlic, onion or leek, since it prevents kissing and full enjoyment. The Hanbalis have a view that he may not, since it does not prevent intercourse ³ ⁴.

Salam and sale

The jurists differ on salam in herbs, including leeks. The Hanafis and the preferred Hanbali view refuse it, since herbs are alike and cannot be measured by bundles; the Malikis, the Shafi'is and one Hanbali narration allow it ³. The jurists in general accept the sale of leek once it has ripened, on the general hadith forbidding the sale of fruit before its ripeness ³ ⁴.

Sources

al-Mawsu'a al-Fiqhiyya al-Kuwaitiyya, Noor-Book copy (file named v3) , p.13242

al-Mawsu'a al-Fiqhiyya al-Kuwaitiyya, Noor-Book copy (file named v3) , p.13243

al-Mawsu'a al-Fiqhiyya al-Kuwaitiyya, Noor-Book copy (file named v3) , p.13244

al-Mawsu'a al-Fiqhiyya al-Kuwaitiyya, Noor-Book copy (file named v3) , p.13245

The sacrifice for a newborn (aqiqa): its ruling, age, animals and manner

In the lexicon, aqiqa is the hair a child is born with, and it names the animal sacrificed for a newborn; as a term it is what is slaughtered for a newborn in thanks to God. It differs from the festival sacrifice in its time and place: it is slaughtered when the child is born, at any time of the year, whereas the sacrifice is made on the days of sacrifice. The Shafi'is and Hanbalis hold it a confirmed sunna and the Malikis recommended; the Hanafis allow it as a voluntary act in thanks. The Shafi'is ask it from a father who can afford it, and the majority hold it for a girl as well as a boy. The Hanafis and Malikis fix the time at the seventh day, while the Shafi'is and Hanbalis count from the child's complete birth; the Shafi'is and Hanbalis require livestock, two sheep for a boy and one for a girl, while the Hanafis and Malikis give one for each. It is recommended to cook it without breaking its bones, eat from it, give it as gifts and charity, and to pronounce the reported formula at slaughter.