Dear Brothers/Sisters,

Thank you very much for joining us in this Fatwa session. We would also like to thank our guest, Sheikh Ahmad Kutty, for answering the questions directed to him. You will find the answers to your questions below.

Q:

Does hajj wipe out all past sins even major ones?

A:

 The Prophet (peace be upon him) said, “Whoever performs hajj while refraining from lewdness, indecencies, and wranglings, they shall return home like a newborn: like their mothers gave birth.” And he also said, “A virtuous hajj merits no other reward than Paradise.

It is easy to conclude from the above sound traditions the tremendous benefits of hajj and its redemptive nature.

However, the question arises: does it apply to all sins?

Scholars agree that hajj wipes out the minor sins. The major sins fall into two categories: 1. Those related to the rights of Allah; 2. Those involving the rights of the servants of Allah.

As for the former, most scholars believe that the hajj wipes out the major sins as long as a person has made sincere repentance before the hajj. If he did not do so, it would not wipe them out.

As for the sins involving the rights of God’s servants, the hajj has no redemptive effect on them unless his victims have forgiven him. If they have forgiven him or compensated them, he can hope for his sins to be forgiven.

Almighty Allah knows best.

Q:

Please provide me a list of the good deeds that I should do in the first ten days of Dhul-Hijjah?

A:

In answering your question, I would like to cite one of  my previous answers:

The first ten days of Dhul-Hijjah have been singled out for their great merit and excellence like no other in the Islamic calendar. Allah, in His infinite wisdom and mercy, has chosen to dispense immense spiritual blessing and rewards in these particular days. They enjoy such high status that Allah Himself makes an oath by them: “By the Daybreak, by the Ten Nights” (Quran 89:1–2).

 According to some Quranic commentators, the nights mentioned here are none other than the first ten nights of Dhul-Hijjah, while others hold the view that they are the last ten nights of Ramadan. But none dispute the fact that the first ten days of Dhul-Hijjah possess tremendous blessings and excellence. The Prophet ﷺ is reported to have said, “There are no days that are dearer to Allah in respect of devoting oneself to worship than the first ten days of  Dhul-Hijjjah.”

Based on this and similar traditions, scholars have stressed that the days and nights of Dhul-Hijjah must be set aside for intense dedication to worship, increased preoccupation with virtuous acts, and contemplation. Virtue and reflection go hand in hand in Islam. Acts that are especially worthy are: reading the Quran; making dhikr and du’a; performing supererogatory prayers; sending blessings on the Prophet ﷺ; rendering acts of kindness and compassion; visiting the sick; doing what is right and forbidding what is wrong; bringing peace, reconciliation, and harmony amongst people; helping those who are in distress or need, and so on. While these works should occupy Muslims at all times, during these days they must be pursued with the greatest zeal.

Fasting is noted to be the most worthy act of devotion one can perform in the first nine days of  Dhul-Hijjah (for those not performing Hajj). According to some traditions, fasting in these days is a tremendous opportunity to gain repentance and forgiveness. Those who cannot manage to fast all nine days should at least endeavour to fast on the ninth day of Dhul-Hijjah (the Day of Arafah). It must be noted that while fasting the first nine days of Dhul-Hijjah is recommended, it is forbidden to fast during the days of the Eid. This prohibition is not limited to the tenth of Dhul-Hijjah, but extends to the eleventh, twelfth, and thirteenth – these are all days of festivity and celebration.

 Finally, it is worth mentioning that the unique merits and excellences of these days of Dhul-Hijjah are in no small measure due to the significant rites of Hajj performed therein. The major days of Hajj are:

 Dhul-Hijjah 8: the day of tarwiyah (quenching thirst), when pilgrims resume ihram and proceed to Mina

Dhul-Hijjah 9: the Day of Arafah, the great ritual where pilgrims stand on the plain of Arafah

Dhul-Hijjah 10: the day of nahr (sacrifice), when pilgrims sacrifice, and stone the Jamarat

While pilgrims gather at sacred sites to perform the greatest rites of Hajj, it is only fitting that those not performing Hajj demonstrate spiritual and emotional solidarity. As pilgrims perform the rites of Hajj, other Muslims are exhorted to participate in their tremendous spiritual feats and experience by performing acts of virtue and devotion.

 May Allah the Most Exalted and Glorious grant us the wisdom to honour the sanctity of these rites and bless us to participate in them with our whole bodies, minds, and souls. Ameen.?

 Almighty Allah knows best.

Q:

Is it necessary to offer sacrificial animal?

A:

The majority of scholars are of the view that Udhiyah, or sacrifice during the Festival of Sacrifice, is a recommended ritual. Its purpose is to revive the tradition of Prophet Ibrahim and his son Ismael (peace be upon them).

It is a symbolic ritual intended to inculcate the spirit of sacrifice for the common good as sanctioned by Allah.

Moreover, it is also intended to be a way of thanking Allah for His blessings; and providing food for the needy and the destitute, who otherwise may not have access to meat, which is one of the best protein sources.

However, we need to recognize that while instituting sacrifice, Allah warns us against missing the soul and spirit of the ritual:

“It is neither their meat nor their blood that reaches God but your piety.” (Al-Hajj 22: 37)

Now the question of whether it is an obligation on every Muslim adult who has the means to offer sacrifice or not?

Imam Muslim reports on the authority of Umm Salamah that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said, “When the ten days of dhul hijjah enter, if anyone wishes to sacrifice, he must not remove his hair or nails (until the sacrifice is complete).”

Imam Shafi`i comments on this, saying, “It is clear from the phrase, “if anyone wishes to sacrifice” that sacrifice is only recommended and not obligatory on everyone.”

Imam Ahmad and Ibn Majah report that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said when asked about the significance of sacrifice, “It is a Sunnah of your ancestor Ibrahim (upon whom be peace).”

The above conclusion that sacrifice is not obligatory but only a highly recommended ritual can also be confirmed by the precedents of great companions.

According to reports, many prominent companions such as Abu Bakr, Umar, and Ibn Abbas were not in the habit of sacrifice every year. Imam Bayhaqi reports that Abu Bakr and Umar would skip the sacrifice a year or two lest people consider it an obligatory ritual.

If these prominent companions were wrong in considering it as recommended, others would have corrected them. That is definite proof for the majority who say that the sacrifice ritual is not mandatory.

Having said this, it is also essential to mention that the Hanafi School considers it obligatory on those who can afford to do it financially. However, they do not mean to say it is one of the fundamental pillars of Islam, which it is not. They are simply saying that those who can afford it should do it. However, based on the precedents of the eminent companions mentioned above, this view seems to be relatively weak.

Almighty Allah knows best.

Q:

Is it necessary to have wudu for tawaf?

A:

In responding to this question, let me cite one of my previous answers:

“Scholars are divided on whether Wudhu is a precondition for the validity of Tawaf.

 According to the majority, wudhu is a condition for the validity of Tawaf. So, according to them, if one breaks Wudhu during Tawaf, one should renew the same. He may resume the tawaf where he left it, according to some; while others say: He should start from the beginning.

 There is another view on this held by Imam Ibn Taymiyyah who says that wudu is not a condition for the validity of Tawaf since there is no evidence on insisting on it as a precondition. The maximum one can say is that Wudhu is recommended for Tawaf since the Prophet (peace be upon him) was in a state of Wudhu. However, if it had been an essential requirement, he would have stated it. And since he didn’t say so, we have no reason to make it obligatory.

 So according to Ibn Taymiyyah, if a person were to break wudhu during the tawaf, he can continue and complete the Tawaf, and it is still valid.

However, if one were to follow the view of the majority, he or she has to renew the wudhu.

 Given the crowding in the Mataf, it would be virtually impossible for most people to go and repeat Wudhu. In this case, they may perform Tayammum and continue the Tawaf. Tayammum involves striking the ground with the intention of Tayammum once and then blowing off the dust and wipe the face, then hit it, again, blow off the dust, and then wipe the hands, right and left once.

 Having said this, I would rush to add: One is free to follow the view of Ibn Taymiyyah and skip wudu and tayammum because of hardship. According to eminent scholars, no matter which school of jurisprudence one follows, we are allowed to follow the relaxed rulings of a qualified scholar, from any school – when faced with extreme hardship.

 Almighty Allah knows best.

Q:

Can I do umrah before hajj?

A:

There are essentially two prevailing views among scholars on this issue: According to the first view, `Umrah proper, aside from that which is included in the tamattu`or qiran types of Hajj, should be done with an independent journey from the start.

This is how it was done by the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) and his Companions. The only exception to this was the special permission granted to `A’ishah (may Allah be pleased with her) because of her special circumstances.

For when the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) found her weeping over the fact that she was prevented from performing `Umrah because of her menstruation, he felt pity for her and ordered her brother `Abdur-Rahman to escort her to Tan`eem in order for her to enter Makkah in a state of ihram for performing `Umrah, so that like everyone else she would be able to do `Umrah in addition to her Hajj.

According to these scholars, the permission granted in this case was reserved only for those who are in a similar situation like that of `A’ishah, and it cannot be extended generally.

A second group, however, holds a more liberal view. According to them, the permission granted to `A’ishah (may Allah be pleased with her) need not be interpreted in a restrictive sense. Rather, it can be taken as a general dispensation for anyone who wishes to perform extra `Umrahs.

Should they wish to do so they can go to the nearest boundary of Al-Haram, such as Tan`eem or elsewhere, and return to Makkah with ihram for `Umrah. These scholars are guided in this ruling by the general spirit of liberality and latitude inherent in the Shari`ah.

It is worth remembering that this spirit of liberality was evident in the way the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) answered the numerous questions put to him by his Companions in his Farewell Hajj. He told each and every one who asked him a question about the minor variations in the performance of rites, “Do so without any inhibition or blame.”

In light of the above, it is permissible for you to do extra `Umrahs in this way if you wish to do so, especially if you are unable to undertake independent journeys for `Umrah. You can do so either on behalf of yourself or on behalf of your deceased parents by going to Tan`eem or another boundary of Al-Haram or going to Madinah and returning to Makkah with another ihram.

Almighty Allah knows best.

Q:

Can I give meat form my udhiyah to my non-Muslim neighbours?

A:

Yes, we are allowed to gift non-Muslim neighbors and friends from the meat of the sacrifices; it would even be encouraged, especially if they are poor. While ordaining sacrifice, Allah says:

Allah says:

“We have made sacrificial camels ˹and cattle˺ among the symbols of Allah, in which there is ˹much˺ good for you. So pronounce the Name of Allah over them when they are lined up ˹for sacrifice˺. Once they have fallen ˹lifeless˺ on their sides, you may eat from their meat, and feed the needy—those who do not beg, and those who do. In this way We have subjected these ˹animals˺ to you so that you may be grateful.” (Al-Hajj 22: 36)

And we are encouraged to be charitable and establish cordial relations with all people, including non-Muslims, who are not waging war on Muslims:

“Allah does not forbid you from dealing kindly and fairly with those who have neither fought nor driven you out of your homes. Surely Allah loves those who are fair.” (Al-Mumtahanah 60:8)

Furthermore, Aishah, the beloved wife of the Prophet (peace be upon him), whenever the Prophet would slaughter a goat or lamb, he would share the meat with his neighbors; some of whom were non-Muslims.

The Prophet’s companions used to emulate his example; thus, we are told that every time Abd Allah b. Amr b. al-As, slaughtered a lamb or goat, he would always ask his family, “Did you gift our such and such Jewish neighbor from it? While saying he would remind them: “I heard the Messenger of Allah say: “Jibreel continued to advise me about being kind to my neighbor so much so that I feared he would declare him as one of my heirs.”

In conclusion, sharing the meat of the sacrifice with non-Muslim neighbors is perfectly fine.

Almighty Allah knows best.

Q:

Being 2nd wife

 Asalam walekum i am 27 years, i have accepted islam 2yers ago. I went to islamic county for job and got to know islam and after 3 years I reverted. When i was in abroad i meet a guy who is muslim. We are together from past 4 years and this relationship started when i was a non Muslim but now since i am a Muslim i want to make it halal i want to marry and not to be in relationship. And even the guy is ready but his mother dosnt want to accept me because i am a reverted muslim and she is forcing him to marry another girl of her choice and 2months before she made an engagement secretly of him without him knowing to another girl while we still planing to get married after 2 months of his engagement he came to know through his sister. Now when he talk to his mother that he dont want to marry that girl the mother got a heart attack so he is helpless and said okay i will marry her. But he also saying that he will marry me and i need to be his 2nd wife and he also told his mother this i will marry with ur choice and i will also marry my choice. But is it fine for him to marry that girl whom he dont love and marry her while he still in a relationship with me? Mother thinks that if she will let him marry that girl he will forget me but he is clear on it that he will marry me. But now it is getting very hard for me to accept all this. The mother want that girl to be 1st wife and me to be 2nd wife and this think keeps on hurting me that he will get married to someone first while m still with him and then will marry me. I can’t imagine him with anyone else. I feel all the rights which was supposed to be mine as his wife will go to other, eg staying with his family after marriage, then the love my kids should get from grandparents and all this. I am in a difficult time and i dono what to do. Sometimes i want to leave him but sometimes i dont want and i cannot decide what to do. But i still love him and he still love me

Please help jazak Allah khair

A:

Wa alaykum as-slam wa rahamtullahi waa barakatuh

 I’m sorry to hear about your predicament, and pray to Allah to give relief and resolve the issue amicably to the best of your satisfaction.

Having said this, I would like to point out that no one, including one’s parents, can force anyone to marry against their will. Forced marriages are not acceptable in Islam.

So, his mother is overstepping her boundaries by forcing him to marry against his will.

However, if you are willing to accept his marriage to the girl and agree to live as his second wife, that is up to you; also, it depends on the laws of the country you reside.

I am not able to offer you any other help in this matter. I can only pray for you.

Almighty Allah knows best.

Q:

Asalamu Alaikum Warahmatullahi Wabarakatuh

Where I purify myself after using the toilet but after prayers I realize that there are still few traces of impurities, do I have to perform all the prayers all over again?

A:

Wa alaykum as-slam wa rahamtullahi waa barakatuh

Once you have performed the purification well, you should ignore all such doubts; they are whisperings of the devil. He is using your weakness to distract you from observing your religious duties.

When such thoughts occur, dismiss them by saying:

A’oodhu billaahi mina al-shshaytaani ar-rajeem

(I seek refuge in Allah from Satan, the outcast).

In conclusion, there is no need for you to repeat your prayers unless you see actual traces of impurities, in which case you should repeat the prayer.

Almighty Allah knows best.

Q:

Assalamu alaikum wa rahmutallah. i usually enjoy reading books but they have shirk in them. like the characters in the books say stuff like “oh my gods” or “the gods will protect you” these books are fiction, but if i read them will i have committed kufr??? i enjoy reading these book so since i enjoy reading them, does that make me a kaafir??? i still do my prayers on time and read quran, reading these stories have not affected my belief, but yeah. if i like and enjoy and pleased with reading them, am i a kaafir? Thank you very much for answering.

will i get notified?

A:

You are allowed to read such books as long as they offer some benefit in developing your literary skill or exposing you to different cultures, etc.

However, while reading such quotes, you should never accept them as accurate; instead, reject them in your mind as blasphemous statements.

Our scholars have ruled that ‘one who cites the words of kufr is not a kafir’. They have inferred this rule from the fact that the Qur’an contains numerous statements of the disbelievers to refute them and establish the pure monotheistic creed.

Almighty Allah knows best.

Q:

Aslamalaikum warahmatullah wa barakatu

Is there any ayah in Qur’an which states allah is your biggest helped then the prophet then the believers cause recently barelwi told me that it means that it means we can ask help from them pls tell me about this i believe no should be asked for help expect allah expect in some cases e.g asking for food to mother etc pls can u explain it would mean a lot may Allah reward you

A:

Wa alaykum as-slam wa rahamtullahi waa barakatuh

We are not allowed to call upon anyone other than Allah.

The verse you have alluded to does not in any way justify such a conclusion.

It is merely speaking of Muslims taking partners and friends of believers instead of pagans and others:

The correct translation of the verse should be as follows:

“Your true allies are God, His Messenger, and the believers- those who keep up the prayer, pay the prescribed alms, and bow down in worship.” (Al-Ma’idah 5: 55)

No one during the time of the Prophet, his companions, pious predecessors, or any eminent Mufassirin or imams took the verse in the way they are interpreting.

If we were allowed to take such liberties in interpreting the Quran, it would demolish the entire edifice of Islam.

Coming to the issue of taking intermediaries in worship, it is an alien concept repugnant to Islam’s letter and spirit. In the Qur’an, Allah takes the pagans to task who used to call upon their gods, saying, “they are our intercessors for us before Allah” and “We only call upon them in order to take us near God.” This entire concept has been refuted by the Qur’anic assertions, including the following: “Allah is near”; “call upon Him alone sincerely”; “He is closer to you than your jugular vein”, etc..

When the Prophet (peace be upon him) was ordered to declare his mission, the first person he went to was his beloved daughter Fatimah. He told her, “Fatimah, daughter of Muhammad, ask of me whatever you wish of my wealth; but you must save yourself from hellfire, for I cannot save you.” The Qur’an also repeatedly tells us the stories of the son of Prophet Noah, who drowned in a flood as a kaafir (infidel). Prophet Noah could not save him even though he was a mighty messenger of God. So likewise, The Prophet Lot could not save his wife. Therefore, the notion of taking a prophet or saint as an intermediary in worship is utterly repugnant to the spirit of the Qur’an.

Such a practice never existed among the best generations of Islam. On the contrary, they were always in the habit of calling upon Allah and Allah alone. The Prophet (peace be upon him) instructed his cousin Ibn Abbas saying, “if you ask, ask of Allah alone; if you seek help, seek help from Allah alone.” In short, the pious generations of Muslims never adopted any intermediaries in their worship of Allah.

So, I urge you to distance yourself from such people as they lead you astray from the straight path. The Prophet (peace be upon him) said, ‘I have left you on a broad highway; its night is as clear as day. Whoever strays away will be led astray and end up in perdition.”

Almighty Allah knows best.

Q:

Assalamualaikum Wr Wb, May this email finds you in the best of health and happiness.

I would like to ask a question regarding my rights as a wife considering that I’m a full-time teacher and so is my husband.

We are both working in the same school in Indonesia, he teaches Qur’an, Arabic language as native and I teach English as native and we were both given a house, 3 meals, a flight ticket and monthly salary. His salary is slightly more than mine, and he have other side income.

We’ve been married for more than 9 years without a child. I’ve never been to any medical check up or gynaecology. He either won’t pay for it, and even if I would volunteer to pay he would be angry at me for wanting to do a check up saying it is a waste of money.

Elhamdulilah, Allah bless us with a lot of blessings in life except that throughout my marriage life I’ve been struggling with my husband toxic behavior of believing that my nafkah should be at minimal – clothes, food and rooftop. Now that we are working, he believes that he don’t have to pay anything. Previously he would even ask me money for snacks, when I ask him to buy.

Prior, to which I wasn’t working he would just buy me chicken breast, and eggs for the household as its the cheapest to cook and 2 – 3 abbaya in a year usually for Eid and it continues as such for almost 3 years.

It isn’t because of his lack of financial stability, as he like dining outside, travelling and technology – can spend a fortune on it without blinking an eye. Since our first 9 years of marriage I never hold any cash, on my hand from his salary except twice. He would buy everything even groceries.

Elhamdulilah, although my family is affluent I never demand him of similar standards except for basic.

My mom told me to do online business, so I can eat better than just chicken and Egg , Elhamdulilah I did and Elhamdulilah it was good but he would use to keep my money and manage my finances for me saying I’m bad at maths.

Previously, when we live in China he didn’t even want to rent a house but insisted we live in a hotel whilst I struggle to cook daily with a rice cooker and SubhanAllah now that we moved to Indonesia Allah has blessed us with a house and 3 meals per day. He don’t even have to spend anything yet he still would look for opportunities to exploit my money.

The house is of basic necessity, and my family had help bought alot of kitchen utensils. I than planned to buy furniture, sofa and some wardrobe but he insist that I should pay for it saying he won’t seat on the sofa I’ve been paying for the cleaning utensils at home, my own clothes, university and medical bills and even travelling he always kept saying he don’t have money, so I felt bad and don’t want to argue – so I willingly paid for almost all the expenses prior to before he had to pay all. Even with this, he would push boundaries and collect every penny he can from me.

My salary is lower than him, but Allah made it enough to cover for alot of things. But Allah knows what he do with his salary, he would kept everything secret from me.

And yet continue to exploit my money and salary.

My question is, what is my nafkah as a wokeing wife? how much should I contribute for the household furnishings, sofa etc and when we travel what consist of my nafkah?

He doesn’t even give money or give Eid gift to any of my nephews throughout the marriages years not even once. I’ve been very fair, and had opportunity where I gave his mom, sister money and bought gift for them whilst he never did for mine.

He failed is obliged responsibility so bad to me, that my sister said you married a religious man and you’re not happy – as in marriage isn’t with a fulfill rights.

Since we’ve been married or long, I would like to feel safe with my money and stop arguing or fight to protect my rights as a woman.

What’s my God’s gifted rights as a wife?

A:

Wa alaykum as-slam wa rahamtullahi waa barakatuh

Once the marriage contract has been formalized, generally speaking, it is husband’s responsibility to provide maintenance and support for his wife. Allah says, “Men are protectors of women, because of what (strength) Allah has given the one more than the other, and because of what they spend of their property (to maintain them).”

The responsibility for maintenance includes food, shelter, clothes and other legitimate expenses such as medical and others.

For further clarifications, it would like to cite from one of my earlier answers:  

• In Islam, it is the husband’s responsibility to provide support and maintenance for his wife and his children; the wife, however, has no obligation to provide financial support for her husband or her children from him;
• All agree that a woman’s assets or wealth are exclusively hers, and a husband has no right to it, unless she has willingly given it to him. This is the reason that some scholars are of the view that a wife can give charities to her husband if he is poor and unable to provide for the family. They base it on a tradition from the Prophet (peace be upon him), to that effect. Once the wife of Abd Allah b. Masud, one of the prominent companions of the Prophet, asked him if a wife can give charity to her husband, to which the Prophet (peace be upon him) replied, yes.
• While the above principles are agreed upon by scholars, we are faced with a new situation now that women have started working outside their homes. In an ideal Islamic setting, a woman will not be forced to go out and work. However, now that she is working, she is compromising something of her household responsibilities. It is, therefore, only reasonable for her to contribute at least partially towards the expenses of the family. Nevertheless, this does not in any way mean that the husband has the right to claim all of her income or salaries. That is undoubtedly considered as simply unacceptable in Islam-as has been stated explicitly by all scholars.
• Coming to the exact ratio of a wife’s contribution to the family kit, some scholars have come up with the following formula: While the husband should contribute to two thirds of the family expenses, a working wife should contribute one third. If, however, she wishes to give more, she may do so on her own free will.
• If the husband demands anything beyond that, and wishes to to dictate what you should do with your entire income or quit the job, that is being unfair. You have the right to stand up for your right. All scholars agree that any husband who takes even a penny from his wife’s income without her pleasure is guilty of consuming unlawful wealth. The Prophet (peace be upon him) said, “A flesh that is nurtured on unlawful earnings is a worthy fuel of hell.”

 Almighty Allah knows best.

Q:

Assalamualaikum. I’m a Sunni Muslim girl and I had a question regarding bleach and hair dye. As Muslims, are we allowed to use permanent hair dye and bleach – meaning that once we dye or highlight our hair the color doesn’t fade away or wash out because it’s permanent, it just grows back out from the roots? Is the use of permanent hair dyes other than black allowed?

Does using permanent hair dye or bleach in our hair make our wudu valid or does it create a barrier like a coat? Can water reach the hair as if it wasn’t dyed?

 A:

Wa alaykum as-slam wa rahamtullahi waa barakatuh

If the dye you mentioned is permanent and is recommended by the professionals as a treatment for hair growth, then it’s okay. Therefore, assuming that it is not simply a cosmetic procedure but a genuine treatment for hair loss recommended by a physician, you don’t need to worry about wudu as long as you can wipe over it.

If, however, that is not the case; instead, it is done simply for cosmetic reasons, and it has a coating that prevents water from reaching the hair, then you should remove it before wudu.

Almighty Allah knows best.

Q:

PUTTING CONDITION

CAN I PUT A CONDITION TO MY WIFE THAT SHE HAS TO LET ME CHECK HER PHONE OR HER PRIVACY IF I CAUGHT HER CHEATING ONCE EVEN IF I DECIDED TO FORGIVE HER ?

A:

Wa alaykum as-slam wa rahamtullahi waa barakatuh

It comes under the category of spying on your wife. If you have reasons to mistrust your wife, you should state it plainly to her, and she should promise you not to refrain from all suspicious activities. However, if you want to do it through mutual understanding, you should also give her free access to your phone so that she can check your contacts and activities.

Almighty Allah knows best.

Q:

As-salamu `alaykum. I have been taking medicine with alcohol content called lemna minor q(mother tincture), its a homeopathy medicine, i bought it from Pakistan.

A:

Wa alaykum as-slam wa rahamtullahi waa barakatuh

If the homeopathic medication compounded with alcohol has undergone a process of chemical transformation and has been rendered non-intoxicating, it is considered Halal (permissible), and thus, permissible for us to use. This is because the new substance is not considered alcohol; rather, it is reckoned as an altogether new substance. Originally, all things are considered pure and Halal unless proven otherwise. A medicine of this kind is, therefore, analogous to the relationship between alcohol and vinegar. Although the scientific root of vinegar is alcohol, alcohol itself is considered Haram (prohibited), while vinegar is Halal. The reason for this is that alcohol and vinegar are two glaringly different end products regardless of their roots.

The above ruling only applies if the alcohol used during the process of medication- production has undergone such a transformation as indicated. If, however, we were to assume that no such transformation has taken place, then we should consider the following:

If there is an alternative medicine that is equally potent and effective and is clearly Halal, then we must stick to using this. If no such alternative is available, then, based on the authentic ruling of scholars, we are allowed to use such medication if it has only traces of alcohol in it, and alcohol does not constitute the major component of it. This ruling has been given by scholars of the past from various schools; it has been reiterated also by many scholars in the present. Such a Fatwa (ruling) is known as a ruling given in lieu of ‘umum al-balwa (unavoidable necessity).

Almighty Allah knows best.

 Q:

What are the boundaries in a relationship?

As-Salamu `alaykum, my friend is a young teenager and has met a girl, they both like each other but they are not planning for marriage. So my question is: is it haram or halal to have a girlfriend, and what are the boundaries?

A:

Wa alaykum as-slam wa rahamtullahi waa barakatuh

Islam does not allow for boys and girls to hang around together as it is fraught with risks leading to illicit behaviour

For details, I would like to cite here one of my earlier answers:

“It is common knowledge that in Islam, fornication and adultery are grave sins and committing either bears serious consequences in this world and the Hereafter.

However, what is not so well known is that while declaring fornication and adultery as haram (forbidden), Islam does not merely forbid the actual acts, but it also declares as forbidden each and every circumstance or way that leads to fornication and adultery. Allah says, (Do not come near fornication, for it is indeed lewdness and an evil life-style.) (Al-Isra’ 17: 32)

Explaining this, the Prophet said, “The fornication of the eyes is staring, the fornication of the ears is listening, the fornication of the tongue is talking, the fornication of the hands is holding, the fornication of the feet is walking, the fornication of the heart/mind is craving and lusting, and finally, the private parts confirm or negate it.”  He also said, “Staring is one of the arrows of Satan.” In another report, he said, “You are allowed to have the first accidental look (which is unintentional), but do not continue to stare.”

The laws of Islam are from Allah, our Creator, who knows our weaknesses as well as our strengths better than we can ever do. Women, by nature, desire to be looked at, adored and cherished, while man is inclined to look at women. Allah, the Almighty therefore, warns us against our own natures, which may lead us astray if we do not exercise caution and take the necessary safeguards. Thus, Allah, the Almighty said, (Say to the believing men to lower their gazes and guard their chastity). And say to the believing women to lower their gazes and guard their chastity and not to display their charms in public.) (An-Nur 24: 30-31)

Having friendship with members of the opposite gender may lead to staring, lustful thoughts, flirtatious behavior and seduction. Although it may not always be the case, there is no way to tell when it could happen and when it would not happen. That is why it is forbidden to mingle and mix freely with members of the opposite sex and to develop friendships with them. It is all part of zina (fornication), which Allah and His Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) strongly ordered us to abstain from.

Allah, the Almighty has given us laws in order to guard us against the evils that are inherent in our own souls. One recent study conducted about male-female interaction in the workplace concluded that one in every three women had been sexually involved with a co-worker or boss. If this is the case in a professional, business-like environment, then the potential for illicit relations in more casual circumstances has much greater potential. Thus, Allah, the Almighty has been most gracious by not only forbidding fornication and adultery, but also by closing all the doors that lead to them.”

 Almighty Allah knows best.

Q:

Both my parents said that the women should pray jumma prayer at home and that only the men should go, but i’m going anyways. is it allowed for women to go?

 A:

Women are allowed to attend the Jumu’ah in the mosque. It is wrong for anyone to suggest that women can pray Jumu’ah at home. Jumu’a is valid only in the congregation; it is usually held in major mosques and not even in small Musallas or prayer places.

Women have been attending Jumu’ah prayer at the mosque since the time of the Prophet. His wives and other women used to do so, and that practice continues in the Haramayan and other major mosques in various parts of the world. However, lately, some countries either stop women or discourage them from coming to the mosque. The Prophet warned against it; He said, “Do not stop women from attending the mosques.”

Having said this, I should state that Jumuah is not obligatory on women; they are excused from attending the Jumu’ah and other congregational prayers. That is concession because of their critical role as mothers and responsibilities of caring and nurturing. Islam considers motherhood a vital role and places the highest value on it. The Prophet declared, “Paradise lies at the feet of the mothers.”

However, if a woman is free of such duties and responsibilities, she should attend the Jumu’ah; it would help her guard against distractions and frivolities eroding her faith and spirituality.

In conclusion, it is wrong to stop women from attending Jumuas; if it had been inappropriate for them, the Prophet would have said so, and he would have prevented his wives and other believing women from attending the Jumua.

It is equally wrong to suggest that women can pray Jumua at home.

Almighty Allah knows best.

 Q:

Can Sheikh Ahmad Kutty answer this question? Hello Sheikh i had a question for you last time but the other sheikh on this site answered it and no disrespect to him but you are the only scholar i know on this site and i need some things cleared up.

I know that you say that music is halal and i have seen some of your answers but i still need to have some of my doubts cleared up.

First of all this issue is so hard for me since i used to follow islamqa and they quoted a lot of things when choosing an opinion in a difference, saying things like if we trust two scholars we must see which one has more proof and then being careful not to go against the majority and all but im confused.

If all i had to do was just to follow one scholar my issue would be dealt with but with so many requirements its tough for me to make a decision.

Anyway i wanted to know your explanation on hadith 5590 on bukhari and the other hadith when abu bakr walks in on girls singing and says musical instruments of the shaytan in the house of the prophet.I know that you have made some answers about hadith 5590 saying that the hadith refers to the pre islamic era when it was associated with wine and also saying that music is haram because of that hadith is like saying taking pictures is haram because it is associated with image making which was forbidden in the traditions but to me(a layman)it seems like the hadith says that instruments are haram no matter what.

The second hadith according to some scholars implies that instruments are haram since the prophet tells abu bakr to leave the girls alone(therefore not denying that instruments are haram but he just told him to leave them alone since it was eid).Now i have no idea what to do.Im asking for this primarily because im a basketball player and they play music on every arena so i need to know how it is.

The other sheikh said that music which is played on arenas and i cannot stop it,i will not be held accountable for it cause i cannot change it,therefore i can play on places where there is music.Is this true?

I also need to know if i can listen to music since i feel like it relaxes me and when i used to listen to music i felt more peaceful and it felt like my iman increased and i would actually refrain from alot of bad deeds when i could relax with songs.Anyways sheikh please explain this issue to me in details since im confused to the max and shaytan takes advantage of me alot when it comes to this topic and i have extreme doubt about which scholar’s opinion to choose and if i am choosing the easiest opinion out of desire or not.Thank you.

A:

On the issue of music, I cannot do any better than citing here one of my earlier answers.

“Music is an issue that has been hotly debated by scholars of the past and the present. While many of them have been generally inclined to condemn all forms of music—with the singular exception of al-dduff (tambourine) in weddings–, quite a few of them have taken a more positive approach of considering only music containing sensual, pagan, or unethical themes or subliminal messages as being categorically forbidden.

The latter view seems to be more consistent with the general nature of Islam, which is undoubtedly a complete way of life that caters to all of the genuine human instincts and needs within permissible limits. Thus to say that all music is forbidden in Islam does not seem to agree with the balanced approach of Islam to issues of human life and experience.

Traditions often cited by the first group scholars to justify condemnation of all musical instruments and music, according to some scholars, are considered as either spurious, or phrased in such way solely because of their associations with drinking, dancing, and sensuality.

While everyone agrees that all forms of music that contain pagan, sensual themes, or subliminal messages are clearly forbidden, the latter group of scholars considers all forms of music free of such themes and messages as permissible.

As a matter of fact, we know from the authentic traditions that the Prophet (peace be upon him) not only allowed music in the weddings but also listened to girls singing: While listening to girls singing on such an occasion, he interrupted them only once when they sang the following verse, “In our midst is a prophet who knows what will happen tomorrow”; whence, the Prophet (peace be upon him) told them, “Cut this sentence out, and continue singing what you had been singing earlier.”

There is nothing in the sources to indicate that the above permission is limited to the occasion of wedding, as some people tend to think.

In light of these, according to the last mentioned group of scholars, music that is deemed to be free of un-Islamic and unethical themes and messages—the same is true of musical instruments so long as they are not used for the above—have been considered as permissible.

A final word: Islam clearly prohibits mixed dancing of males and females.”

Almighty Allah knows best.

Q:

Assalamualaikum Brother

I am from Jammu and Kashmir India

We have a query regarding our Masjid that is built by our ancestors on government land Is Namaaz offered there valid Please guide us in this matter..Whatcan be done in this matter

Jazakallah

A:

Wa alaykum as-slam wa rahamtullahi waa barakatuh

If the Mosque had been built on the land with the government’s permission, there would be no issue.

If it was built without such permission, one should not pray in the Mosque.

An exception should be made if it was determined that the land was public and not claimed by anyone, in which case there is no need to stop praying. Islam allows us to revive or take possession of the land that is unclaimed by anyone.

Islam teaches that the earth belongs to Allah and all of humankind are servants dependent on Allah. And no one has a monopoly on the planet earth.

Almighty Allah knows best.

Q:

Assalamu Alaikum. I want to know that the name of my newborn baby girl is suitable for her or not? Because since she born she is not well.

Her name. Yumna Zahra

Age. 4 months

Born. At 8th of Feb 2022 (midnight approx. 1.30 to 2 am)

 A:

Wa alaykum as-slam wa rahamtullahi waa barakatuh

I feel sorry to learn about the health challenges of your baby girl. I pray to Allah to bless her with a speedy recovery and a blessed life. May Allah make her a source of joy and comfort for you, your wife, and the entire family.

Let me now answer your question: Your baby’s name has nothing to do with her health issues. There is nothing wrong or inauspicious with the name you have chosen for her.

Yumna is of Quranic origin; it is used as a name for girls; it means blessing, ease, and flourishing on the Day of Judgment. The Quran states:

“As for  those who are given their record (yameenihi) in their right hand, they will have an easy reckoning, and will return to their people joyfully.” (Al-Inshiqaq 84:7-9)

The male equivalent of the name is Ayman.

So there is nothing inauspicious about the name Yumna.

You should seek professional medical treatment for her and pray to Allah to cure her.

May Allah bring relief and comfort to you all.

Almighty Allah knows best.

Q:

As aalamu alaykum wa rahmatullah

There’s a hadith that I came across in Saheeh Muslim which states that every person has an amount of zina that he will commit. That Hadith mentions adultery of the eyes, ears, tongue, hand and feet. The last part is Zina of the heart. That part is “The heart desires and hopes (for adultery) but the private parts either confirm that or deny it.”

My question is, does this mean that all sexual and romantic fantasies count as Zina of the heart then, such as those which lead to arousal of the private parts? Also if you could elaborate any further than that would be helpful.

I got a response for this question before from a session of Sheikh Ahamd Kutty, but he said to look at a previous session for the answer, and unfortunately I couldn’t find it, so if you can answer here it would be very helpful.

A:

Wa alaykum as-slam wa rahamtullahi waa barakatuh

The best way to look at the above hadith is that it speaks about human nature, its weakness, and the perils involved unless one is careful.

Every human being is liable to temptations and ends up coming close to Zina. That is because Allah has created every human being with the inclination to do good and inclination to do wrong.

Allah says: “By the soul and the One Who fashioned and  inspired it as to what makes it iniquitous or reverent  Indeed, he prospers who purifies it  And indeed he fails who obscures it.” (Ash-Shams 91: 7-10)

The hadith warns us against falling into temptations. It does not mean that every human will be guilty of fornication or adultery. How can we take it in that sense when we know there are prophets who Allah protects from falling into sins.

As for others, we are liable to temptations, and we may get carried away unless we take steps to close the door. And the Prophet states the simple truth we all can recognize. He wants us to know that since everyone has temptations, we ought to take steps to close the door by avoiding lustful looks, lustful thoughts, and other preliminaries. Hence the mention of fornication of eyes, mind, hands, and feet. If a person does not restrain his eyes and guard his tongue, ears, mind, hands, feet, etc., he will do the real thing: fornication or adultery.

Those who give free rein to their eyes, ears, hands, feet, and mind are guilty even if they do not commit the real thing. However, their sins are not major. They can be considered minor; however, as Ibn Abbas stated, persistence in the minor sins will make them major.

Almighty Allah knows best.

Q:

A football nft game which requires you to buy players and if they play good you win money but if they don’t play good you don’t lose any money unless the players value drops which happens if he plays a lot of bad games. A lot of news articles say it is gambling but the company sorare say it is not gambling. Is it considered gambling

A:

I agree with those who say it is gambling, for it essentially boils down to taking chances to win money. Islam forbids gambling. It feeds addiction and ends up destroying lives and families. There is no shortage of people who lost everything and destroyed their lives and families because of such habits. So I would urge you to stay away from such games of chance.

Almighty Allah knows best.

Q:

My friend was 72 days pregnant, but after undergoing ultrasound, doctor told her that she has developed only gestational sac and there is neither a yolk sac nor any signs of featus in uterus. Later on she had to abort. Kindly tell me if she has to offer prayers (even if she is bleeding) as usual or not.

Thanks and regards

Kindly guide us in this this

A:

According to the authentic view of scholars, a woman who undergoes an abortion is considered in a state of Nifas or post natal bleeding only if the aborted fetus has assumed a human form. That is not the case with your friend, as there was no fetus in the uterus. So the bleeding she experiences is not considered Nifas; it is abnormal bleeding which is known as Istihadah; in the case of Istihadah, one should pray after cleaning oneself and renewing wudhu for every prayer.

Almighty Allah knows best.

Q:

My parents are divorced and my dad doesn’t talk to us or know anything about us so basically he isn’t in my life. I’m getting married but we haven’t done the nikkah yet does my father have to be there or can my brother be my wali.

A:

According to the standard view of scholars, a father remains a father regardless of his abandoning his children. So, I urge you to contact him and perform his role as your guardian; if he does not respond or is acting indifferent, you can ask your brother to act as your wali.

Almighty Allah knows best.

 Q:

Will I be considered a divorcee if I am forced to marry someone I don’t like?

My father has been trying to force me to marry a man I have no interest in and despite people telling him to stop he hasn’t listened. This lead to me running away from home. However my father still went ahead and did the wedding. I know that the ruling for such a wedding is invalid. But in the event where I want to get married in the future will I be considered a divorcee?

I am also considering taking up the issue at the shariah court

A:

You should not take the law into your hands; I would urge you to take the case to the Sharia court and abide by their decision.

Almighty Allah knows best.

Q:

Basically I’m a overweight person who weight about 100kg and each day I’m gaining more and more seen’s I gave birth to 2 kids anyways I tried to loss weight but each time I loss I would I gain the double , I wish to ask if it haram to get a weight loss surgery I’m afraid that I would gain more weight then 100kg and I would end up with medication problems , I also with to ask about 2 types of surgery fist is one if it’s possible to get a surgery to cut half of your stomach or if it’s possible to get a tummy tuck and liposuction to remove all the fat from my body

A:

Islam is a religion that is life-affirming and not life-negating. In other words, all of its injunctions are intended to alleviate suffering, misery and pain. Therefore, one of the stated objectives or purpose of the Shari’ah is to remove harm and hardship, and bring ease and comfort. Allah says, “Allah wishes to grant you ease (and comfort), and He does not wish to impose hardship on you.” (Q. 2: 185); “He has not appointed any hardship for you in religion.” (Q. 22: 78). The Prophet (peace be upon him) said, “There shall be harm or reciprocating of harm.”

Moreover, Islam enjoins upon us to strive to find cures and treatments and to use them whenever they are available to the best of our ability. Treatments are recommended to cure diseases or rid ourselves of abnormalities or deformities that make our life miserable. To remove an outgrowth or deformity in our body that causes us undue pain or distress or invites scorn or sneers from people also falls in this category of permissible treatments.

It was in this spirit that the Prophet (peace be upon him) allowed his companions who had some deformities or injuries to their nose or teeth to resort to implants of gold to correct or modify such deformities.

Based on the above considerations, if you are overweight and causing you health problems, and you are unable to control the weight increase through diet and other measures, then you may by the expert advice of physicians; if they suggest surgery or tummy tuck as a safe method, then you may go for it. You cannot however resort to it for purely cosmetic reasons.

I should also remind you that such a decision must be strictly based on the advice of an expert surgeon in the field. In other words, it must not be done by your own wish alone, but by the recommendation of the expert. Furthermore, he must advise that such a procedure is indeed safe and would not result in causing further harm to the body.

May Allah inspire us to act rightly in a manner that pleases Allah.

Almighty Allah knows best.

 Q:

If you see a person in dream without his face, can this be Prophet Muhammad saw?

I slept last night after offering isha and was in the state of wudu.

Early in the morning, I saw a dream that a person sitting in front of me on a chair and I’m sitting in front of him on the ground.

I told him about my problems and he asked me to recite Allahumma inni asalukal huda wat tuqa wal afaafa wal ghina often.

Immediately that very moment my alarm goes on and I woke up.

The person was wearing a black kandura and turban and I don’t recall his face.

The place was resembling as either an old mosque or palace hall and there was no one else around us.

Did I see the Prophet Muhammad s.a.w or somebody else?

I seached for the above dua and found that it’s in a sahih hadith which I wasn’t aware of before. I knew this dua but I didn’t know it was hadith and I didn’t recite it often.

I understand shaytaan can come in the dream claiming himself to be so and so person but if this was shaytaan he would not invite to something good like this dua which is in sahih hadith.

Please guide me and clear my doubts related to this dream.

A:

I am not an interpreter of dreams. However, I can venture to say that from what you have reported, the vision is a good one.

But there is nothing to indicate in your report that the Prophet (peace be upon him) appeared in your dream.

You should, however, thank Allah for His gift. Then, perhaps you may be blessed with a vision of the Prophet (peace be upon him) in the future.

Almighty Allah knows best.

Q:

As Salam mualaikum, I’m a computer science engineer my employer is a pork production company, but I’m a complete home-based worker and nothing touching, holding is my income is halal.

Jazakallah

A:

Wa alaykum as-slam wa rahamtullahi waa barakatuh

The rule of Islam is that if something is forbidden, we are not allowed to condone, support, or sell and propagate it. All such acts are prohibited. ‘That which leads to haram is also deemed as haram.’ Even though you are not touching or handling pork, your work aims at facilitating its production and sales. As such, it is haram, and your income is also haram. The Prophet warned us against earnings through such means.

Therefore I would advise you not to continue this work; you should look for something halal even if you don’t get the same salary. You should pray to Allah to make you sufficient with what He has made halal and make you content with what He has permitted for us.

Allah has assured us in the Qur’an to help us if we remain conscious of Him.

“And whoever is mindful of Allah, He will make a way out for them” (Qur’an: 65: 2)

“And whoever is mindful of Allah, He will make their challenges  easy for them.” (Qur’an: 65: 4)

The Prophet also said, “Whoever clings to Istighfaar (asking forgiveness of Allah), Allah open an exit door for him from all troubles and will provide for him in ways he would never imagine.’

So, please search for a job free of haram, and pray to Allah so that He opens doors for you.

Almighty Allah knows best.