Many Muslims have questions about religious rulings related to everyday situations, particularly when they involve testimony, protecting families, remembrance of Allah and sending blessings upon Prophet Muhammad ﷺ.

Among the questions raised are: Is lying permissible to prevent a family from breaking apart? What is the ruling on sending blessings upon the Prophet during and after the Adhan? Is remembrance with the heart better than remembrance with the tongue?

Is Lying Permissible to Prevent a Family From Breaking Apart?

Dr. Atiya Lashin, a member of the Al-Azhar Fatwa Committee, addressed a question concerning a person who witnessed a man in another person's home and was later asked to testify about what he had seen.

The person feared that telling the truth might lead to serious consequences, including the destruction of a family.

Dr. Lashin explained that testimony must correspond to the truth, and a person may not give false testimony because of fear of its consequences.

Allah says:

“And do not conceal testimony, for whoever conceals it—his heart is indeed sinful.” [Qur’an 2:283]

What Is the Ruling on False Testimony?

False testimony is a grave sin in Islam. The Prophet ﷺ strongly warned against false speech and false testimony.

He ﷺ said:

“Beware of false speech, beware of false testimony.”

The Prophet ﷺ also instructed witnesses to testify only about matters they know with certainty.

Therefore, the desire to protect a family or prevent a difficult situation does not justify changing the truth in testimony.

What Is the Ruling on Sending Blessings Upon the Prophet After Adhan?

Egypt's Dar al-Ifta states that sending blessings upon Prophet Muhammad ﷺ after the Adhan is an established Sunnah.

The Muslim should repeat the words of the Adhan after the muezzin and then send blessings upon the Prophet ﷺ and ask Allah to grant him al-Wasilah.

The Prophet ﷺ said:

“When you hear the caller to prayer, repeat what he says, then send blessings upon me, for whoever sends blessings upon me once, Allah sends blessings upon him tenfold.”

He ﷺ then instructed Muslims to ask Allah to grant him al-Wasilah.

What Should a Muslim Say After Adhan?

After repeating the Adhan, it is recommended to send blessings upon the Prophet ﷺ and then recite the supplication asking Allah to grant him al-Wasilah and al-Fadilah.

Among the well-known supplications is:

“O Allah, Lord of this perfect call and established prayer, grant Muhammad al-Wasilah and al-Fadilah, and raise him to the praised station You have promised him.”

A hadith in Sahih Muslim states that whoever asks Allah for al-Wasilah for the Prophet ﷺ will be entitled to his intercession.

Must Salawat After Adhan Be Said Aloud?

According to Dar al-Ifta, there is no text requiring Muslims to say the salawat aloud after the Adhan.

Therefore, the matter is flexible. A Muslim may send blessings upon the Prophet ﷺ quietly or aloud.

What matters is maintaining respect, sincerity and presence of heart rather than turning a flexible matter into a source of dispute.

Is Dhikr With the Heart Better Than Dhikr With the Tongue?

Sheikh Mahmoud Al-Tahhan, an Ameen al-Fatwa at Egypt's Dar al-Ifta, explained that remembrance of Allah with the heart is permissible, particularly when a person cannot appropriately raise their voice, such as while working, driving or being in a place where speaking aloud is unsuitable.

He explained that remembrance with the tongue and remembrance with the heart are both valid, and there is no contradiction between them.

The more complete form is for the tongue and heart to participate together.

Why Is Presence of Heart Important in Dhikr?

Dhikr is not merely the movement of the tongue. It becomes more meaningful when a person understands and reflects upon what they are saying and remembers the greatness of Allah.

Allah says:

“Surely in the remembrance of Allah do hearts find comfort.” [Qur’an 13:28]

Thus, combining verbal remembrance with awareness of the heart gives dhikr a deeper spiritual meaning.

How Can Muslims Include Dhikr in Daily Life?

A Muslim can incorporate remembrance into ordinary daily activities without unnecessary difficulty. Dhikr may be practiced while walking, waiting, working in permissible activities or traveling.

A person may also send blessings upon the Prophet ﷺ, seek Allah's forgiveness and recite Qur’an whenever possible.

The goal is not simply to increase the number of words, but to strengthen the connection between the heart and Allah.

Conclusion

These rulings clarify that false testimony and changing the truth are not permissible simply to prevent a family from breaking apart.

Sending blessings upon Prophet Muhammad ﷺ after the Adhan is an established Sunnah, and there is no requirement that it be said aloud.

Remembrance with the heart is also permissible, while the most complete form of dhikr combines the tongue with a present and attentive heart.

Is lying permissible to prevent a family breakdown?

False testimony and deliberately changing the truth are not permissible for this purpose.

What is the ruling on salawat after Adhan?

Sending blessings upon the Prophet ﷺ after Adhan is an established Sunnah.

Must salawat after Adhan be said aloud?

No. It may be said quietly or aloud.

Is remembrance with the heart permissible?

Yes. Heartfelt remembrance is permissible, and combining the heart and tongue is more complete.

Is false testimony a major sin?

Yes. The Prophet ﷺ strongly warned against false speech and false testimony.