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Live Fatwa (General Session)

Dr. Mohammad S. Alrahawan
20 March, 2017

Dear Brothers/Sisters,

Thank you very much for joining us in this Live Fatwa session. We would like also to thank our guest, Dr. Mohammad S. Alrahawan, for answering the questions directed to him. You will find the answers of your questions below.

Saturday, Mar. 25, 2017 | 20:00 - 22:00 GMT

Session is over.
DISCLAIMER
Views expressed by hosts/guests on this program (live dialogue, Facebook sessions, etc.) are their own and their appearance on the program does not imply an endorsement of them or any entity they represent.  

Is it Permissible to Make a Marriage Proposal at the Haram in Makkah?



A Muhrim is the one who commenced on the state of iḥram. Iḥrām is the sacred state in which a Muslim carries out the required rituals to complete Hajj or Umrah. However, He also has to wear special clothing that is designed for thepurpose of performing Umrah or Hajj.  Once a person enters into the state of iḥrām, he/she is prohibited to do certain practices. He/she should not conduct a marriage contract, have sexual intercourse, or make a marriage proposal. This is based on the Hadith narrated by `Uthman (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said: “A Muhrim (a pilgrim in the state of Ihram) should not marry, or give in marriage, or betroth.” (Muslim). Once he/she finishes iḥrāmby shaving or having hair cut, he or she can do whatever was prohibited during their iḥrāmwhether they still live in Mecca or not.

 

It is not permissible to make a proposal of marriage when a person is in the state of Iharam whether a person is in Makka or outside Makka. He can make it after terminating Umrah even in Makka or at the Sacred Mosque of Makka. Therefore, if the contract has been concluded while bride and/or groom are/is still muḥrim, such a contracts would not have been valid. They must make the contract again, since it is not effective. If both of them do not know the legal ruling, they do not incur a sin but the contract is still invalid.

I was molested by my uncle when I was younger. I have told my parents and they have since then cut off all contacts with him. We may go to the city he lives in to visit our other family. If I meet him at a family gathering, do I have to treat him kindly? What does Islam say about abuse? Can I take him to court or do I forgive him? Am I right to cut off all contacts? I am going to take my case to court inshallah in the future.



You have freedom to sue him in front of a judge since he has committed an unethical thing which is prohibited in Islam. I think by raising the issue before a judge may protect other victims who might be attacked by him in the future.

 

Prophet Mohammad (peace be upon him) has explained that whoever commits fornication with the wife of his neighbor, that his sin is greater and worse than his committing the same thing with ten women. That is because it is of the major sins. Such is the case of one who abuses his relatives. The Prophet said to his companions, “What do you say about fornication?” They said, “It is unlawful as Allah and His Prophet have prohibited it and it is unlawful until the Day of Judgment.” He said: “A man who commits fornication with ten women is lesser to him than to commit fornication with the woman of his neighbor”. (Ahmad)

 

From `Abdullah bin Mas`ud that also said: A man said: “Oh the Prophet, what is a great sin before Allah? He said: to call God other than Him and He is the one who created you. He said: what else? He said: to kill your child lest he/she should share your food. He said: what else? He said: to commit fornication with the wife of your neighbor”. Then the Almighty Allah revealed its confirmation: {And those who invoke not any other ilâh (god) along with Allah, nor kill such life as Allâh has forbidden, except for just cause, nor commit illegal sexual intercourse and whoever does this shall receive the punishment} [25:68]. (Al-Bukhari and Muslim)

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That is because it is his right to protect the dignity of his neighbor as he knows his (i.e. neighbor) entrance and exit. If an evil act is committed by a reliable and relative person its sin is greater. How about a person who commits this evil with his relative? How about a person who commits it with his own daughters? No doubt that his sin is great before Allah and before the people. All that happened to him due to a relapse in his innate character (nature) and crookedness in his behavior, although he behaves with people in a different way. The correctness of this man seems to be hopeless unless God wishes it. He is then considered to be abnormal, with a bad and crooked condition.

 
That is why the text came very clear that whoever happens to commit fornication with his unmarriageable woman its punishment is: he has to be put to death. The Prophet of Islam said: “Whoever happens to fall (in fornication/adultery) with his Mahram (unmarriageable person), so kill him”. (At-Tirmidhi)

 

It is raised to Hajjaj that a man committed fornication with his sister forcibly, he said: detain him and ask from amongst the companions of the Holy Prophet, and they asked Abdullah b. Mulassif who said: I heard the Prophet of Islam saying: “Whosoever transgresses the Muslims, make line on the middle of his body with a sword”. This means divide him into two parts with a sword”. This and the people similar to him whose innate character is relapsed, their punishment in Islam is to put them to death for their disgraceful crime with their inviolable (unmarriageable).

 

It is the responsibility of any Muslim who watches ore hears about a case to abuse to report it to the judge in order to protect others from anticipated harm which may be inflicted on other victims. The Muslim family must cuff off relations with those who are accused of abuse as a warning against them. We have an example in the Prophet who cut off his relations with three men who did not join with him at the battle of Tabuk.

Assalamalaikum, I was wondering is it permissible to listen to "halal" music. Meaning there is no use of instruments and only vocals are used however it resembles music (very melodious voice, harmonies etc.)?



Wa `alakum as-salam

 

There is a difference between singing without Music and Music. There is total unanimity amongst all scholars that if singing encourages bad behavior, extra-marital affairs, lewd behavior, skimpy clothing, drinking, or making fun of religion or people who are upright, it is totally prohibited. For Music and using musical instrument, it is completely prohibited. This means that by consensus of the scholars the vast majority of modern popular music (certainly, the likes of Britney Spears, Rihanna, Snoop Doggetc) is prohibited.

There’s also consensus that singing with simple drum is acceptable and there are evidences that this would occur at weddings and other celebrations during the time of Prophet (peace be upon him).
There are no explicit verses in Qur’an to prohibit Music, although some highly respected commentators, in particular Ibn Mas῾`ud says that “idle talk” in Quran  31:6 refers to Music.
However, there are explicit hadith that prohibit music. Melodious human voices and harmonies which are added to singing resemble musical instruments and a number of modern scholars maintained that they are prohibited. Their ruling is extended through analogy by comparing the effect made by musical instruments and those computerized harmonies which are basically produced through human voices.

IS IT ENCOURAGED IN ISLAM TO MARRY YOUR COUSIN



There is no objection to get married to cousins according to the Quran 4:23 which specified certain categories of women/men who are prohibited to get married to. The Prophet got married to Umm Habibah bint Abu Sufyan who was the Prophet’s cousin.

 

However, a better question may be raised, namely, is it preferable for a Muslim to marry those who are outside one’s family? The answer on this question varies according to circumstances. It may be preferable to marry non-relatives in case one aspires to develop further social networks. It may also be preferable if his relatives suffer from a certain disease or he may be afraid in case of divorce to dissever relations with his kith and kin.

AssalamAleikum,I would like some insight on issues to do with repentance. I really don't think there is any major sin that I have not committed in this world from stealing my parents cash, I have fornicated which lead to me impregnating a girl. I have dealt in riba name every sin that one can think of. I have tried repenting but till now my heart is not at peace because I really try to keep off things like zina but the urge is to strong. I would like to get married but every Muslim sister you approach has humongous financial demands that discourage me, and I also forgot I am not in good terms with my father. I have tried all means possible to get close to him but he has never reciprocated now is there any hope on my side? I feel like my life is on a downward trend please your advice will be highly appreciated thank you.



Wa `alakum as-salam

 

There is a major barrier that’s blocking many Muslims from getting closer to Allah and improving their relationship with Him. This barrier is losing hope in the mercy of Allah. Sometimes people think that Allah will never forgive them because of the multitude of their sins. As a result, they slacken in performing their acts of worship and some even abandon them as they lose hope in attaining the mercy of Allah.  Allah addresses the sinful by calling upon him “Say: My servants, you who have transgressed against yourselves, do not despair of the mercy of Allah. Truly Allah forgives all wrong actions. He is the Ever-Forgiving, the Most Merciful.” (Az-Zumar 39:53)

 

Allah commands us to never lose hope in His mercy and forgiveness. Even if we have committed many sins, Allah forgives all sins except that of associating partners with Him.

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The Prophet said:

“Allah created mercy in one hundred parts and sent down to earth only one part. Because of this one part, there is mutual love amongst creation, so much so that an animal will lift up its hoof from its young one, fearing that it might harm it. Allah has reserved the remaining ninety-nine parts of this mercy to favor His believing servants on the Day of Judgment.” (Al-Bukhari and Muslim)

This hadith is a source of great hope in that Allah has reserved 99 out of 100 parts of mercy for the Day of Judgment.

We cannot abandon Allah due to our sins because no one is exempt from committing sins. However, we shouldn’t use Allah’s Mercy as an excuse to commit sins.

 

We should always have hope in the fact that no matter what we do, or how massive our sins are, Allah will always forgive them if we turn to Him sincerely in repentance and try our best to please Him.

 

The Prophet (peace be upon him) said, “Allah the Almighty said: “O son of Adam, so long as you call upon Me and ask from Me, I shall pardon you for what you have done, and I wouldn’t care. O son of Adam, were your sins to reach the clouds of the sky and were you then to ask forgiveness of Me, I would forgive you. O son of Adam, were you to come to Me with sins nearly as great as the earth and were you then to face Me, ascribing no partner to Me, I would bring you forgiveness almost as great as it.’” (At-Tirmidhi)

 

To get His mercy, you need to take steps to Allah. The first step is to open a new page with Allah by declaring a sincere repentance Allah Most High says, “Turn towards Allah, O believers, every one of you, so that you may be successful.” (An-Nur 24:31)

He also says, “Ask your Lord for forgiveness and then turn in repentance to Him,” (Hud 11:3)
The Prophet (peace be upon him) said, “The one who repents from sin is like the one who never sinned.” (Ibn Majah)

 

The conditions for repentance are well known:

1) you have to leave the sin;

2) remorse over having committed the sin;

and 3) resolve never to return to the sin.

 

If it relates to the rights of another person, you have to return the rights or property you have wrongly taken.

 

The second step, you must have confidence in Allah by trying to get married in order to block the avenues of Shaytan. The Prophet has been reported as saying, “There are three who are promised the help of Allah: a slave who wants to buy his freedom, the one who gets married seeking to keep himself chaste, and the one who fights in the cause of Allah.” (An-Nasa’i)

 

Whenever you think about marriage the Shaytan slackens you behind to keep you more indulged in sins.

 

The third step, you have to fix your relation with your parents and ask them to forgive you and ask them for their sincere supplications. You do not need him to reciprocate good feeling with you. I am sure when he feels you have already changed, he will change his attitude towards you.

 

Keep maintaining good treatment for the sake of Allah without expecting any reward from humans.

 

The fourth step, keep praying all obligatory deeds in the masjid for one full month in congregation provided that you keep making the salah at the first row. This is your healing remedy. I am sure if you do this for one full month, you will not come back to fornication again. There is a close relation between negligence of prayers and following whims and desires. The way to block evil desires is to join the caravan of those who punctually offer prayers regularly in masjids by catching and competing for first rows.

May Allah guide you to the straight path.

Please answer my question Can we pray in a cloth that have an image inner part of the cloth or can we pray salat by turning the image side of the cloth?



Praying in a shirt which has the picture of an animate being is disliked. This means that the prayer will be valid but void of its rewards. To remove this dislike from the salah, the image either should be so small that if it were placed on ground, then a standing person would not be able to distinguish its features or the image should be headless because an animate being cannot live without a head or the image is so distorted that no features can be distinguished.

As salamalaikum. I hope I am sending my question in the correct place. My name is Malik. I understand that Malik means King in Arabic and is generally used as a boy name. My family named me Malik as a Queen and I also have a cousin who has the same name as me. Is it appropriate for a Muslimah to have a name as Malik? I tried to search on the web that Malik is most commonly used for boys, but it used to be for girls as well.



Wa-`alaikum as-saalm. The Arabic female name is Malak which means an angel. The word Maalik has a variant synonym which is equally used in Arabic, i.e. Malik. Allah knows best.

Assalamalaikum, I had written previously about a man whom I had rejected due to a bad financial and family situation (mental illness in prospective mother in law), and lack of transparency in communicating this information to me. I have been experiencing a lot of regret for my decision although I made istikhara. For the past 3 months I have tried to reconcile this as bring Allah's decree, but I cannot accept it and still feel depressed. I feel as though I have fallen in love with him. There are not many people proposing to me and I see no other options to get married in the near future. Please advise.



Wa-`alaikum as-salam

 

I fully understand that it is not easy to forget but since there is no possibility of connecting to him, you have to be a little bit more patient. What you suffer from is `Ishq. According to Ibn Taymiyah, “`Ishq is an extreme love which exceeds necessary bounds.” He further said, “`Ishq is a psychological disease and if its effect is strengthened against the body, then the sickness in the body becomes either mental illnesses and that is why it is a sickness of whisperings, or physical illnesses of the body like a weakness and anorexia etc.”

 

He further stated that: “It is from the illnesses which corrupt the Deen of the one who has this illness.  Then, it can corrupt his intellect, and after that his body. If the heart has love for Allah Alone taking religion sincerely for Allah, then fundamentally it is not trialed with love for other than Allah, more so than being trialed with `Ishq. Whereby if a person is trialed with `Ishq, then indeed his love for Allah alone was deficient. This is why as Yusuf loved Allah and took the Deen sincerely for Allah, he was not trialed by it.  Rather Allah said: “Thus it was, that We might turn away from him evil and illegal intercourse. Surely, he was one of Our chosen, guided slaves.” (Yusuf 12:24)

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If you are able to get married to this person within the boundaries of your families, you should start taking steps to do so. This is the healing remedy for ‘Ishaq. The Messenger of Allah said: “There is nothing like marriage, for two who love one another.” (Ibn Majah)

 

If it is not possible you have to fully convince yourself of being despair of reaching this man. You must stabilize yourself that it is almost impossible to get married or to have relation with him. If it is still ineffective, you should contemplate on the great atrocities that `Ishq may bring to you. First of all it will draw you farther from Allah and let you taste deprivation from His light and mercy. If it is still ineffective, you must remember the evil and bad things in this man. It may drive you away and think of how Allah kept it away from you. If all those attempts fail, you only have one gate that never closes day or night.  You must keep knocking by reiterating sincere supplications at the depths of nights to make you forget him and concentrate in the Most Great. I am sure He will not turn you away.

2/ I'm single mother of 7yrs old and like to marry and raise happy family inshallah. However I haven't met compatible partner and just taking long. Getting pressured from families/friends. Kind of unsure at this point about two big points. I learned lots about being patient and trying my best, but always wonder if I should marry to whoever approaching me then be patient through the conflicts.... OR remain patient till I meet someone who at least half way compatible with me. Which Sabir pleases Allah. Please let me know.JAzakallhHkair!!!!



May Allah shower all His tranquility and mercy upon your heart. You should make a balance in this situation. Marriage is intended to fulfill emotional, financial and social needs. Based on that, scholars maintained that marriage may be obligatory, recommended, permissible, disliked or prohibited. It depends on the situation and the personal circumstances of man and woman. If a woman, for example, is afraid of committing adultery, she must seek to fulfill her emotional needs through marriage. I think you must not respond to peer pressure because they judge your situation superficially without understanding all the networks of your thoughts and your expectations of a future husband. Moreover, you must not exaggerate in the qualifications you set for your future husband. As long as he is acceptable from religious and behavioral perspectives, trust Allah and go ahead. You should also ask the help of your relatives who are religiously committed to search for a suitable match. You should also put in your mind that no marriage is free of conflicts. You might have been exposed to see those conflicts at some of your surrounding families which made you afraid to taking a step. You must be realistic in your conditions and choice. Once you have an acceptable match, pray istikharah and consult others about him. If it goes well, trust Allah and try to be a good wife for him. May Allah bring up peace and tranquility to your heart.

1/ Aselamualykum!! I like to know if doing yoga or meditation has anything to do with my religious beliefs. Heard some associate yoga with Deen saying it's "Haram" please let me know.



According to Muhammad Abdul-Fattah Faheem in his al-Yuga wa At-Tanafus (p. 19) and other references, Yoga in the Sanskrit language means union and contact with God, i.e., union between the bodymind and God which helps man attain knowledge and wisdom and develop his thought by improving his knowledge of life; it protects him from sectarianism, religious fanaticism, narrowmindedness and shortsightedness when searching; it makes him live a life of contentment both physically and spiritually. According to Ahmed Shalabi, The union of Buddha with the Hindu gods is a return to belief in ‘Jnana Yoga’ i.e., the path of knowledge, which envisions truth in all religions and philosophies (Adyaan al-Hind, p. 174).

Based on these introductory notes, Modern Muslim scholars differed on the ruling of practicing yoga. Some of them went to believe it is completely forbidden while others are of the view that it is permissible without any restrictions. A third group took a moderate standing by differentiating between some practices of Yug. They allowed those that are in accordance with Shari`ah and forbade those that are contrary to it. All of them admitted that Yoga is of a non-Muslim origin.

In conclusion, I think it is impermissible for Muslim to practice Yuga due to its being an act of resembling non-Muslim religious practice. The best exercise is in salah. Lengthy ruku` and prolonged sujud will bring you that same soothing effect.

My husband is away for the past 21 months, we communicate everyday he sends money to us for up keep. Is our marriage still valid? And can I have sex with another man? Because I don't know when he will be coming back.



You are still a wife for this husband. You cannot get married to another man except when your marriage tie is ended. There are two ways of ending this tie. Either to contact him and ask him for divorce or for Khul`.

 

Khul` is conducted by returning the whole dowry or a part of it.

 

If you cannot reach him you can contact a judge or the imam of your Islamic center and he (the imam) can divorce you because of the financial duties he does not pay or because of the greater harm inflicted on you due to his absence.

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An imam of the Islamic center should have the right and power to do so. This should be done without having any conflict with current laws of the country where you live.

Asalamoalaikum Kindly tell me which is the correct way to perform sajdah for woman during salah. I am very confused about how to place my feet during sajood. Kindly guide through pictures if you can. Thanks jazakAllah



The general rule is that women should make sujood exactly like men.. Some scholars stated that a woman should keep her limbs close to her body during ruku` and sujud, and not spread them out, because this is more modest and covering.

 

According to Shafi`i scholars, there is no difference between men and women in prayer, except that women should keep the parts of their bodies close to one another, and they should make their stomachs touch their thighs during sujud. This is more covering and preferable, in ruku` and the rest of the prayer too.

As-salamu `alaykum.. My mom diagnosed with the HIV virus. She receive treatment for it, and her health is great, Alhamdulillah. My mom's great wish is to go for `Umrah this year. So my question is: Is my mom allowed to preform `Umrah?



If the acts of `Umrah will not cause a deterioration in her health conditions and her going will not cause any harm to others, there is no problem for her to go to Umrah. May Allah accept from you and her.

Hello, I have approached about Islam before on an issue and was answered properly, thank you.Now my question should be simpler. Completely trusting my wife, she sometimes seems to be keeping things from me where I'm 100% sure and confident it is in good faith and I have no doubt of any kind of betrayal. I recently knew (from her) that someone tried to flirt her (through phone messaging). She kept from telling me until this person apparently tried a different way to reach to her while she was ignoring him; and that's when she felt telling me about it. The reason for not telling, she said, that I've been going through a lot lately, so she didn't want to disturb me and by telling me it won't be of benefit anyway. I feel, this is classified as secrecy as such things needs to be disclosed asap to avoid misinterpretation if discovered (which happened in this occasion). Otherwise, how do I know that there weren't or won't be other similar types of stories im kept not iformed!! For your advice please.



As Muslims, we are commanded by Allah to avoid suspicion about others. Allah says in the Quran, “O you who have believed, avoid much [negative] assumption. Indeed, some assumption is sin. And do not spy or backbite each other. Would one of you like to eat the flesh of his brother when dead? You would detest it. And fear Allah; indeed, Allah is accepting of repentance and Merciful.” (Quran 49:12).

 

Moreover, the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said, “Beware of suspicion, for suspicion is the worst of false tales.” You should only protect your family by reciting legal ruqyah and making her recite the whole of Surat al-Baqrah (second chapter of the Quran). You must have full confidence in Allah that He will protect you and your family. Opening ways of thinking and suspecting other will cause a lot of personal problems for yourself, since the shaytan attempts to ruin people’s live though evil insinuations.

As Salaam Alaikum..Can you please tell me about.. "Qabrkadhas Jana".. After a person dies, Is it a good thing or is it punishment inside the qabr?Thank you.



What I understood from your Urdu sentence is “Only the corpse knows what is going on in grave.”

As Muslims, we believe in the punishment of the grave. There are many narrations which verify its authenticity. The Prophet (peace be upon him) said, “Seek refuge with Allah from the punishment of Hell, and seek refuge in Allah from the punishment of the grave. Seek refuge in Allah from the trial of Al-Masihid-Dajjal, and seek refuge in Allah from the trials of life and death.” (At-Tirmidhi)

According to a report which is related in Al-Bukhari, `Aishah said that a Jewess came to her and mentioned the punishment in the grave, saying to her, “May Allah protect you from the punishment of the grave.” `Aisha then asked Allah’s Messenger (peace be upon him) about the punishment of the grave. He said, “Yes, (there is) punishment in the grave.” `Aisha added, “After that I never saw Allah’s Messenger (peace be upon him) but seeking refuge with Allah from the punishment in the grave in every prayer he prayed.” (Al-Bukhari)

The torment in the grave will vary according to the sins committed by the person in this world, whether he was a disbeliever or a disobedient Muslim. There are authentic narrations which describe this torment for the people who commit these sins.

A righteous believer will receive eternal blessings in his grave. Allah’s Messenger (peace be upon him) said, “When (Allah’s) slave is put in his grave and his companions return and he even hears their footsteps, two angels come to him and make him sit and ask, ‘What did you use to say about this man (i.e. Muhammad)?’ The faithful Believer will say, ‘I testify that he is Allah’s slave and His Apostle.’ Then they will say to him, ‘Look at your place in the Hell Fire; Allah has given you a place in Paradise instead of it.’ So he will see both his places.” (Qatada said, “We were informed that his grave would be made spacious.” Then Qatada went back to the narration of Anas who said;) Whereas a hypocrite or a non-believer will be asked, “What did you use to say about this man.” He will reply, “I do not know; but I used to say what the people used to say.” So they will say to him, “Neither did you know nor did you take the guidance (by reciting the Qur’an).” Then he will be hit with iron hammers once, that he will send such a cry as everything near to him will hear, except Jinns and human beings. (Al-Bukhari)

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We are a Muslim family, and my mom and I wear the hijab. My mom was never happy with my dad and neither was I. He has the emotional maturity of a child and he is hurting everyone. Either my dad and mom work something out or maybe (since I'm heading to college) I'll try to persuade her to divorce my dad and marry another man. My mom is forty-six years old. My dad works 16 hours a day. If I start to work and help out my family, maybe I can make 100 k a year and if our financial situation is good, maybe my dad can retire early. I can give my dad money and maybe if things don't work out between my mom and dad, maybe I can arrange a marriage or try to persuade my mom to get married another time. Same with my dad, maybe its best they don't stay together. Iv'e seen them hit and spit at each other and verbally abuse. Either its family counseling divorce or they can stay together.



I think this is a decision which is solely taken by your father and your mother. This is their life and they have the freedom to decide what to do. You may help change the behavior of your dad by advising him nicely and helping him to get rid of his emotional problems. If it does not work and it voluntarily comes from your mother, you should, then, help her to divorce and to get another righteous husband.

I am married with Christian wife and she respects that I am Muslim, I am living with her in her mom's home, and we are blessed with son. Now she says she will not stop me to take him to the mosque and she also don't want me to stop her to teach Christianity.I and my wife work, but my wife and her mom doing their best what they can as they spent most time with him. My son is 2 months old. I am very worried in this situation. Please help. May Allah reward you. Thank you



Your situation is very critical. You have to exert more efforts in teaching him Islam and accompanying him to the mosque when he grows up. On the other side, you need to practice da`wah with your wife and mother in law. Moreover, you are supposed to make sure from your wife that your son will go to the mosque and will be and grow as a Muslim.

Is participating in rituals of other religions or celebrating something that belongs to other religions haram for Muslims?? Please suggest any hadith, verse of Quran or any kind of authentic reference...



The Quran declared that Islam is the only religion that Allah would accept, “Indeed, the religion in the sight of Allah is Islam. And those who were given the Scripture did not differ except after knowledge had come to them – out of jealous animosity between themselves. And whoever disbelieves in the verses of Allah, then indeed, Allah is swift in [taking] account.” (Aal `Imran 2:19)

 

The Quran condemns adherents of other religions of being disbelievers, “They have certainly disbelieved who say that Allah is Christ, the son of Mary.” (An-Nisaa’ 4:17)

 

“They have certainly disbelieved who say, “Allah is the third of three.” And there is no god except one God. And if they do not desist from what they are saying, there will surely afflict the disbelievers among them a painful punishment.” All those verses confirm the wrong beliefs and practices of Christians and affirm Islam as the only authentic and acceptable way of life.

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Assalaamoaleikumwarahmatullahiwabarakatuhuya Sheikh.I place immense trust in your website as it has helped me in most crucial occasions in my life.My family, while trying to seek a matchmaker to find me a good marriage alliance, approached a person who has asked them to recite certain passages of the Quran etc which is all very nice and normal.This person has also given them around 11 pieces of green paper with some Arabic written on it along with a grid of 9 boxes in which Arabic numbers are written. He has asked me to burn 1 of these papers after Maghrib everyday saying this is an antidote to some evil influences that may hamper my getting married.I suspect this isn't Ruqya but rather it is another form of sihr which my naive parents refuse to realize.My refusal to follow this is causing arguments in the family and my mother insists I am committing a greater sin by disobeying and annoying her. Is it okay for me to agree with her and burn this paper for my family's sake? Jazakallahukhairan..



There are a number of reports which prohibit such practices who are not ruqyah in anyway. The incantation of the Prophet included recitation of certain chapters of the Quran such as surah 112, 113 and 114. He also used to make invocations to relieve a sick person from pain. These reports are well known in Al-Bukhari and Muslim. You are not supposed to disobey Allah for the sake of obeying anyone even if your parents. I suggest if they insist to do so, let them burn those papers without paying attention to them or even believing in what they do. You must in all cases explain for them the legal ruling of those acts and warn them against disobedience of Allah by making such superstitious practices which may include magic. You must explain also for them that magic is forbidden and may have evil consequence on you and on them.

Assalamualaikum. Are Muslims allowed to donate organs after his/ her death? Jazakallahukhairun.



This issue needs a lot of elaboration but briefly, the Fiqh Council of the Muslim World League, allowed organ donation and transplantation in its 8th session held between 28 Rabi` Al-Thani-7 Jumada Al-Ula, 1405. The Fiqh Academy of the Organization of the Islamic Conference in Jeddah, during the year 1408, and the late Mufti of Egypt Dr. Sayyed At-Tantawi also allowed the use of the body organs of a person who had died in an accident, if the necessity requires the use of any organ to cure a patient, provided that a competent and trustworthy Muslim physician makes this decision.

 

It is important to note that most of the jurists have only allowed the donation of the organs. They do not allow the sale of human organs. Their position is that the sale of human organs violates the rules of the inherent dignity and honour of the human being, and so it would be haram (forbidden) in that case.

Assalamalikum will animals go to heaven and do they have souls? and was the hoope bird a bird or was the bird and ant a jinn but as a animal?



There is one authentic hadith regarding what happens to animals in the day of Judgment. Abu Hurairah narrated that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said:

“All  creation will be gathered on Judgment Day including animals. Allah  then  judges between them (the animals) if any one of them has taken  another  animal’s right such as the goat with a horn who attacks the one  without  horns then will be treated accordingly (here it does not  mention what  the punishment is), then finally He will say to them  become dust. At that moment the disbeliever will say: ‘I wish I could turn into dust'”

Similarly, Abu Hurairah (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said, “On the Resurrection Day, the rights will be paid to those to whom they are due so much so that a hornless sheep will be retaliated for by punishing the horned sheep which broke its horns”. (Muslim)

This could be interpreted that all animals turn into dust or only those  ones  that transgressed against others. Scholars interpret this hadith that all animals will turn into dust. Therefore,  animals do not have a final  dwelling such as Hell or Paradise since  they are beings who are not  accountable for their actions. Allah’s judgment upon them is just to show His justice and turning them into dust is to tell the accountable creation (humans and jinns) that they do not have to pay any further for their actions other than what Allah has decreed.

We married two years ago. But after I went to vacation and coming back he acted differently, even I don't do anything he's become irritated. But I ignored his behavior, I don't answer him if he yelling me for small reason, I control myself, I practice to how to be patience. Then he decided to divorce me, he's reason is don't love me anymore, he said he found another woman. So I said okay, tell to my brother about and tell them about your reason. But he is ashamed to talk to my brother personally, before he marry me, my brother warned him to not hurt me for no reason. After a month he decided to divorce me without the presence of my family members, "He uttered 3X I talaq you and he say my name". But after that he say to me that I should trust him, because in Islam allowed the Slave wife, so I agreed to him bcuz I loved him, after he talaq me there's intimacy happened with him. But I realized and I read about Slave wife is not applicable of this era. It was the time of Quraish... My question now after he talaq me then he touched me? He is still my husband or we should proceed our divorce papers. Please answer all my questions, cuz I am so worried my situation right now and what is my right as woman. Jazak Allah khairan....



May Allah shower His mercy upon your family. He divorced you once and then he revoked his divorce. There is no problem for that. Later he divorced you thrice in one sentence. This type of divorce has been interpreted differently among scholars. The massive majority of scholars regard it as full triple divorce and in this case you are not allowed to return back to him and it becomes prohibited to touch or even to mingle with him since you have become a foreigner to him.

 

According to another group of scholars including `Umar ibn al-Khattab, Ibn `Abbas, Ibn Taymiyah and Ibn al-Qayyim in addition to Shaykh Ibn Baz and others who maintained that divorce in this case is reckoned as one  divorce. If we apply this view to your case, it becomes evident that you are still his wife with full rights of a wife.

 

There is no meaning of slave girls in this case. He is either ignorant or intentionally attempts to abuse you. In case he divorces you a third time, you will become prohibited to him and he will not be able to revoke divorce or return you back to him until you wait for three consecutive menstruations, marry to another man, such a second husband consummates marriage with you, divorces you willingly and you wait for a waiting period of three menstruations.

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Salaams I am 38 yr old female. Comitted zina and now pregnant 8months. I have been in this relationship for 5 yrs. He is married. We met via family when his wedding arrangements with a family member were going on. I am currently living with family as well as his wife in the same house. I know I have done wrong and need to better myself islamically. I have been falling apart because of this for 5 years and it became a vicious circle as id turn to him for support. Throughout 5 yrs his marriage has had bad times such as financially and general arguments and ive been a buffer or so i belive. To avoid him getting stressed out and also upsetting family member i have listened to him to avoid a full blown argument as well as supportinf him financially to the tune of 350k over last 5 years. No ones knows of this. I work hard and in a job which helps others and have been working full time.until now when am strugling due to pregnancy. Now it has come to a head...and i want to better myself as a muslim. I dont care about money.i am about to bring a child into this world and want to stop sinning and reform myself. I spoke.to him about my concerns and repenting/marriage. He says he cant marry me as he doesnt want other family members knowing about us as it will make him look bad ive even said lets marry away from.them. and that i cannot carry on like this...if so i will walk away. If anything i go around in circles stuck in a circle of emotional abuse. I am.ok to support him and be there for his problems but my concerns are invalid. I am feeling very mentally unstable and at times suicidal. Everytime i ask for anything or say hes upsetting me he just tells me its me and im doing it to myself. And if anything goes to.his wife infront of me in ways that obviously will.upset me as weve been togethr for 5 yrs and i know hes not mine as we are not married etc. He is accepting of child and wants him to carry his surname which is quite generic and says he wil do what he can for his son. I am not particularly chasing him for money as i can work and look after my child. I just want to right some wrong at least. Right now i probably deserve hell i know. Alot of time i spend crying and now because of this baby i want to improve in my faith. Short of leaving him i realydont know what to do. I dont want to do this as i want him to be with his future child and have a relationship and equally we live in same house so its hard for me to just get up and go equally in a ideal world.id want him to repent and marry me. For last week i have ignored him after we had argument. He just believes hes a good person and in day of judgement he will br forgiven. He has been through alot but im struggling to carry on with this wrong I would just like to know from a scholar what to do next. No one knows about this except me him and our maker. I have no one to turn to as im ashamed of my wrong doing.



I ask Allah to relieve you of the pain of your conciseness and to provide you with a sincere repentance. It was and is still easy for both of you to engage in a clean and pure life under the shade of Allah, since Allah allowed a Muslim man to get married to more than a wife. Committing suicide is not a solution for your problem, but it complicates it, because you would be held responsible before Allah for the child you have killed and for your own self. My suggestion for you is as follows:

You must stand before Allah in a true situation of repentance regardless of how much you loved this man and how much you love your son to live in a family. Just admit your sin before Allah and have a resolute that you will never do it again.

 

In addition, strengthen you faith by increasing prayers, fasting, and giving charity. Insist on Allah and Allah never closes His gates in front of His sincere repentant slaves.  He says in the Quran, “Say, “O My servants who have transgressed against themselves [by sinning], do not despair of the mercy of Allah. Indeed, Allah forgives all sins. Indeed, it is He who is the Forgiving, the Merciful. And return [in repentance] to your Lord and submit to Him before the punishment comes upon you; then you will not be helped.” (Az-Zumar 39:54-55)

 

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In case the man prefers his fame and showing off in front of people instead of pleasing Allah, make sure that he is not a good Muslim and he will not take full responsibility. He just uses and abuses you. Do not shed tears on people who do not deserve. Regard your son as an orphan and you are spending and caring on an orphan seeking the pleasure of Allah. I do not think it is permissible for his biological father to attribute him by giving him his name.

 

3. Leave the place where you can see this man. The one who killed 100 persons and upon asking a scholar what to do, he advised him to leave the place of sin where he used to stay. Clean up your surroundings of all factors that may drag you back to sin and Allah will defiantly provide you with a better husband where you can better improve your faith and draw closer to Allah.

SalamI have a question for you. Few months back me and my cousin did nikkah secretly but according to Shari`ah by qadi and in front of 2 witnesses without informing our family. Then after few months we had to inform our family about our nikkah so the parents of the girl forced her to take divorce from me as they didn't want to give ruksati they pressurised her for that and she unwillingly asked me to do so..due to which I contacted an advocate for that and he prepared the papers in which 3 times word talaq was written and I signed them without the intention of giving talaq to her advocate himself sent the papers to the girl. I didn't say it verbally to her as we both thought that it will only end our nikkah officially but not according to Shari`ah and advocate also told me that as you have signed it with 3 times written on it so it is only 1 talaq and you can do ruju. So I did that but I am not sure whether our marriage is still there or not so kindly please give me an answer so that my confusion can be resolved.I also want to inform you that 2 days before signing divorce deed we had intercourse and after that for ruju we had done that. I will be waiting for you answer Thank you



According to the majority of Muslim scholars including, Malik, Shafi’i and Aḥmad, marriage is regarded as invalid as long as it is concluded without the consent of a guardian (wali). AbūḤanīfah permitted such a contract. I think you made a mistake by concluding this marriage without the permission of her parents and this is the reason it brought up all ensuing problems. As long as you made the contract through a judge, it becomes valid even if according to those scholars who required wali as an indispensible part of the contract.

Divorcing her in writing is effective if you intend divorce. This is the view Abu Ḥanifah, Malik and Shafi’ī. Anyhow, even if have intended divorce, you have already revoked it later. Therefore, she is still your wife according to the advocate who knows regulations governing Islamic marriages in your country.

My personal advice is that you exert all possible efforts to talk to her family and try to please them and apologize for what happened. In this case you can regain her again since she is still your wife.

I want to ask that women who hang out with the opposite gender apart from their profession or work study meetings. Plus, not covering themselves when they meet. So, we as brothers, husbands and fathers should allow them to go out like this or not? What is the Islamic point of view on it? Actually, I liked someone and I got to know that she is a modern lady and have an open mind. She doesn't cover herself, likes to go out with men, talks to them and believes in the friendship of men and women. She likes to continue friendship even after the marriage. However, if this is the case, I won't marry such a person, what does Islam say about this?



It is not permissible for a Muslim woman to have male friends. It was a pre-Islamic habit which Islam disapproved.

 

However, mixing with non-Mahrams and going out of our way to spend time with them obviously defies the essential ideals of Hijab. Muslim men and women who are not Mahram to each other are not supposed to interact when there is no point in doing so, and any interaction that does take place is supposed to be done in a professional manner. Conclusively, the idea of non-Mahram guys and girls spending time together as “friends” is not endorsed by Islam.

 

Ibn `Umar reported the Prophet (peace be upon him) as saying, “Behold! A man is not alone with a woman but the third of them is Ash-Shaitan.” (At-Tirmidhi) It is graded as an authentic hadith. My advice is that you do not propose to this woman in marriage except if she repents, wears hijab and abides by the law of Allah.

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As-SalamuAlaikum. My mother is a minster at her church. Sometimes she receives food from the church. The food that she gives to my sister and I are covered like they came from the store. My question is it halal to eat from these products if someone from the church prayed over them, even though the food is covered?



In case the food includes meat of animals slaughtered by mentioning the name of Jesus or any saint over it, it becomes prohibited. Otherwise, food is permissible and there is no problem of eating it as long as it does not lead you to engage in services at the church or in any act of worship. The Prophet (peace be upon him) ate the food of Jews. Moreover, the general rule of the Quran is “the food of those who were given the Scripture is lawful for you and your food is lawful for them.” (An-Nisaa 4:5)

I was taught to always show respect to our holy book, Quran Sharef. Here in the US I have seen people who are Alhamdulilah Muslims but they do not respect the book itself. Now I am not saying they do not respect it by heart but just the way they treat it is just not fair. I have seen so many American Muslims, Specially African American Muslims who recite Quran and just put it on the floor and both kids and parents do the same. It is just killing me inside. My question is, is it ok if they treat Quran like that?



Muslim scholars are unanimous that it is obligatory to protect and respect the Mushafs. This consensus has been related by Imam An-Nawawi in his Al-Majmū`. According to the authentic hadith, the Prophet said: “Religion is sincerity, religion is sincerity (Al-Nasihah), religion is sincerity.” They said; “To whom, O Messenger of Allah?” He said: “To Allah, to His Book, to His Messenger, to the imams of the Muslims and to their common folk.” Naseehah towards the Book of Allah includes not putting it in places where it will be treated with disrespect, or where putting it there seems disrespectful, such as putting it close to garbage or at dirty places.

 

As for putting the Qur’an on clean ground, there is nothing wrong with that, because this is not disrespecting the Qur’an or mistreating it. It often happens that a person is praying or reading from the Mushaf during prayer and he wants to prostrate, he puts it down in front of him. This is not regarded as disrespect or mistreatment of the Mushaf, so there is nothing wrong with it. But if such an act is done in a culture or in a way which regards such an act as disrespectful, one must not do that.

Assalamualaicoum! I am getting married and I have a child from my first marriage. Can my child call my second husband "father" if he wishes so? And is it OK if my child will communicate with his father, and how often this communication should happen? I am afraid that this would bring problems to our new family. Thank you.



There is no problem that your son calls your second husband his dad. It is reported that the Prophet used to call Anas ibn Malik; his servant by saying “O my son.” It has been related in Musnad Ahmad.

You have the responsibility of facilitating easy and smooth communication between your son and his father. It may be set according to agreement such as arranging regular visits per week or per month. The father of your son has responsibility to pick up the son and make those visit in a way that does not disturb your new family. Your second husband should also be aware of the great reward he gets as a result of maintaining relations among relatives.

Assalamualaicoum! Quran mentions that Allah created everything in 6 days. Why so? He can do it in 1 second, so why did He need 6 days to finish all that? Thank you.



Allah’s actions must be explained in terms of His all-encompassing knowledge and wisdom. There is nothing that Allah does but there is great wisdom behind it.  We may sometimes recognize the wisdom of Allah behind His creation or doing of certain things, but the general maxim maintains that “He cannot be questioned as to what He does, while they will be questioned” (Al-Anbiyaa’ 21:23)

 

Nevertheless, some scholars have attempted to explain the reason why the heavens and the earth were created in six days. Imam Al-Qurtubi, in commenting on Quran 7:54 maintained that Allah manifests His power to the angels gradually. Moreover, He decreed a course of action for everything in the universe. He, for example, delays a punishment he decreed for a sinful person and does not overtake him instantly.

 

Ibn al-Jawzi stated that doing things in a short time is more indicative of power, and His deliberation is more indicative of wisdom. Moreover, creation has been accomplished step by step, lest anyone would think that this happened as a result of an accident.

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Assalamualaicoum! I am a Muslim working as a content-manager on a website. Among other useful articles sometimes I have to publish articles about Horoscopes and other things that are not acceptable by Islamic faith. I always repent and give charity, and I do not believe in Horoscopes, etc. Please advise me. Thank you.



Horoscope is the prediction of a person’s future based on a comparison of the zodiacal data for the time of birth with the data from the period under consideration. Not only the practice of astrology is haram, but also visiting an astrologer or listening to his predictions, buying books on astrology or reading one’s horoscope are also forbidden.

 

Since astrology is mainly used to predicting the future, those who practice it are considered fortune-tellers. Consequently, one who seeks his horoscope comes under the ruling contained in the Prophet’s statement:

“The salah (daily prayer) of whoever approaches a fortune-teller and asks him about anything will not be accepted for forty days and nights.” (Muslim)

Allah clearly stated: “And with Him are the keys to the ghayb (all that is hidden), none knows them but He and He knows whatever there is in [or on) the earth and the sea; not a leaf falls, but the knows it. There is not a grain in darkness of the earth nor anything fresh or day, but is written in a clear record.” (Al-An`am 6:59)

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The money you may earn through practicing horoscope is forbidden. According to the authentic hadith, The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him), forbade the sale price of a dog, the earnings of a prostitute and the earnings of a fortune teller.

By the earnings of a prostitute he meant what a woman was given for fornication. The earnings of a fortune teller were what he was given to tell a fortune. (Malik)

 

Therefore, you have to abandon such a forbidden act and repent to Allah. One of the essential conditions for an accepted repentance is that a person never repeats such a deed again or even has the intention to make it again.

I have two questions one is that: I heard a hadith that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said that my age of ummah will not extend from 1500 years and also Imam Suyuti said that this hadith is sahih can you give me some clarification and also I need some clarification on suratulnoor verse 6 that Allah swt said the meaning of verse is if you saw that your wife did zina and you can't afford Shahid you can give four shahada in place of shahids, jazzakallukhyr



For the first question, there is a hadith reported on the authority of Jabir ibn ‘Abdullah who said:

I heard Allah’s Messenger (peace be upon him) as saying this one month before his death: You asked me about the Last Hour whereas its knowledge is with Allah. I, however, take an oath and say that none upon the earth, the created beings, would survive at the end of one hundred years. (Muslim)

 

Some people thought that the Last day is supposed to be within one hundred years after the Prophet said this hadith. But the correct meaning of this hadith is explained by the other version which is also related by Abu Sa῾īd al-Khudrī who reported the Prophet’s saying, “There would be none amongst the created beings living on the earth (who would survive this century).” (Muslim) Therefore, the Prophet meant that his companions who were living when he issued this hadith would not live more than one hundred years.

 

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For the second question, Li῾an and Mula`ana are synonymous. They are derived from La`n (to curse). Technically it is an act of a husband’s swearing before a judge that he witnessed his wife committing adultery and fails to prove it with four witnesses. It is fully explained in Quran 24:4. The occasion of revelation for this verse is that when Hilal ibn Umayyah (may Allah be pleased with him) accused his wife of adultery, the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) asked him to prove it with four witnesses and said that the punishment of slandering (qadhf) would be applied if he could not prove it. He repeated it several times. Hilal ibn Umayyah said, “O Messenger of Allah! One of us sees his wife committing adultery with a man; you ask us for evidence. I swear by Allah, who sent you as a true prophet, that I am telling the truth. I believe that Allah will send down a verse to you that will save my back from these stripes.” (Al-Bukhari, Muslim, Abu Dawud, and Ahmad)

Thereupon, the following ‘verse of mula`anah’ was sent down:

“And for those who launch a charge against their spouses, and have (in support) no evidence but their own― their solitary evidence (can be received) if they bear witness four times (with an oath) by Allah that they are solemnly telling the truth; And the fifth (oath) (should be) that they solemnly invoke the curse of Allah on themselves if they tell a lie. But it would avert the punishment from the wife, if she bears witness four times (with an oath) by Allah, that (her husband) is telling a lie; And the fifth (oath) should be that she solemnly invokes the wrath of Allah on herself if (her accuser) is telling the truth.” (An-Nur 24:6-9)

There are two reasons for li`an: The first one is when a man accuses his wife of adultery which necessitates the application of the punishment of adultery when the accusation is made for a woman who is not a relative of his. The second one is when the father rejects (does not accept) that he is the father of the child that has not been born yet or that was born.

As'salamuAlykum, What are the major and minor sins?



Major or greater sins are those which are mentioned by name in the Qur’an or hadith as the subject of an explicit threat, prescribed legal penalty, or curse. Examples of major sins are mentioned in the Quranic verse which describes the true and sincere servants of Allah, “And those who do not invoke with Allah another deity or kill the soul which Allah has forbidden [to be killed], except by right, and do not commit unlawful sexual intercourse. And whoever should do that will meet a penalty. Multiplied for him is the punishment on the Day of Resurrection, and he will abide therein humiliated. Except for those who repent, believe and do righteous work. For them Allah will replace their evil deeds with good. And ever is Allah Forgiving and Merciful. And he who repents and does righteousness does indeed turn to Allah with [accepted] repentance.” (Al-Furqan 25:68-72)

 

The Prophet (peace be upon him) referred to the top seven major sins in his saying, “Shall I not inform you of the biggest of the great sins?” We said, “Yes, O Allah’s Messenger (peace be upon him)” He said, “To join partners in worship with Allah: to be undutiful to one’s parents.” The Prophet (peace be upon him) sat up after he had been reclining and added, “And I warn you against giving forged statement and a false witness; I warn you against giving a forged statement and a false witness.” The Prophet kept on saying that warning till we thought that he would not stop.” (Al-Bukhari and Muslim).

 

A good reference for all major sins is the the Book of Imam Adh-Dhahabi, Kitab al-Kaba’ir (Book of Enormities) and Imam Ibn Hajar Haythami’s Al-Zawajir.

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Minor sins may be forgiven from prayer to prayer, from one Friday prayer to another, and so forth, as there are many acts and deeds through which minor sins are forgiven. The Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace) said, “the five prayers, Jumu`ah to Jumu`ah and Ramadan to Ramadan entail forgiveness for what is between them as long as the enormities are avoided.”

 

Abu Hurairah (Allah be pleased with him) reports that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said, “Shall I not show you something, which will wipe out your mistakes? They replied, Yes O Messenger of Allah! The Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace) said, Complete wudu’ with difficulty, steps towards the masjid and waiting for prayer, because this is commitment and self-control”. (Muslim)

 

All what is mentioned in the Qur’an and ahadith, of following up a bad deed with a good deed means the wiping away of minor sins and not major sins. Minor sins do not require a specific proportion of small or greater good deeds, but major sins require repentance (tawbah).

 

There are conditions for a valid tawbah as mentioned by Imam Nawawi:

 

  1. a) to refrain from the sin;
  2. b) to regret having done it;
  3. c) and to resolve never to commit again.

If the repentance is connected with the rights of another human being, repentance has four conditions: the three mentioned above, plus clearing oneself of the obligation owed to the other person.