Financial transactions
Riba
Halal and haram
Prohibitions and alternatives
Snakes in Islam Snakes are generally considered ḥarām (forbidden) to eat because they are predatory and harmful. However, clothing and leather rulings are not always the same as food rulings. Leather and tanning The Prophet ﷺ said: “Any hide that is tanned becomes pure.” (Sahih Muslim) Many scholars (especially in the Hanafi, Maliki, and Shafi’i…
The difference between conventional and Islamic mortgages For Muslims, one of the greatest financial challenges of our time, is purchasing a home without falling into riba (interest), which is strictly prohibited in Islam. Conventional mortgages are based on interest-bearing loans, while Islamic banks and financial institutions offer alternatives that aim to comply with Shariah. Among…
Core Principles Justice and fairness are the foundation of Islamic financial dealings. Riba is prohibited because it perpetuates oppression and exploitation. Money is a medium of exchange, not a commodity to be sold for profit. Trade involves risk and effort; charging for money itself without value addition is forbidden. Islam promotes economic balance, not extremes…
Collagen Collagen is the main structural protein found in animal tissues (skin, bones, cartilage). Collagen supplements are often taken for skin and joints and may also support hair, nails and gut health. It is typically consumed orally, as a gel or drink. Collagen derivatives can also be found in beauty products such as anti-ageing creams,…
Submission lies in not questioning Allah’s wisdom Ibn Abī al-‘Izz al-Ḥanafī (d.792) said: “The foundation of servitude (‘ubūdiyyah) and faith is submission.” Know that the foundation of servitude (‘ubūdiyyah) and faith (īmān) in Allah, His Books, and His Messengers rests upon submission (taslīm) and refraining from asking about the detailed wisdom behind the commands, prohibitions,…
Islam makes a clear distinction between ḥayḍ (menstrual bleeding) and istiḥāḍah (irregular or non-menstrual bleeding). If the bleeding is istiḥāḍah, even if it is very heavy, the rulings of menstruation do not apply. This means that prayer, fasting, and other acts of worship remain obligatory. Fāṭimah bint Abī Ḥubaysh (may Allah be pleased with her)…
Each and every one of us will one day meet with our death. Islam places great emphasis on the preparation for death and our journey to the next life. It is essential as Muslims that we study the spiritual and practical preparations for death to make our attitudes and actions in line with the Quran…
Can Tahajjud be combined with ‘Isha? Is it permissible to combine Tahajjud with the ‘Isha prayer, particularly in the summer when the window between ‘Isha and Fajr is short? The short answer is: no, Tahajjud cannot be prayed immediately after ‘Isha and still be considered true Tahajjud. This is because Tahajjud is defined as voluntary…
Is abortion permissible in Islam? Islamic law upholds two paramount concerns in the matter of abortion: the sanctity of foetal life and the preservation of the mother’s life. The Qur’ān explicitly prohibits unjust killing: وَلَا تَقْتُلُوا النَّفْسَ الِتِي حَرَّمَ اللهُ إِلَّا بِالْحَقِّ “And do not kill the soul which Allah has forbidden, except by right.”…
According to the majority of scholars: It is not permissible for a Zakat institution to take ownership of the Zakat for itself. The Zakat remains the property of the payer until it is delivered to one of the eight eligible categories mentioned in the verse: “Zakat expenditures are only for the poor and for the…
Foundations of halal earning: contracts in Islamic transactions On the subject of halal earning (al-kasb al-halal), we started by exploring one of the earliest works on the topic, written by Muhammad ibn al-Hasan al-Shaybani, a prominent student of Imam Abu Hanifah. He was a mujtahid in his own right and wrote a short yet…
Halal income Halal earning refers to how to earn your living in a way that pleases Allah. It also includes how to avoid falling into haram, doubtful matters, disliked things, or areas that are grey and uncertain. In the previous session, we mentioned the work of Imam Muhammad ibn al-Hasan, the student of Abu Hanifah….
Seeking halal income Earning a ḥalāl living, which is called al-kasb in Arabic, is a very important topic related to everyone’s business transactions, dealings, sales, and so on. It’s essential to understand what is permissible, what is not, the boundaries, the details, and so forth. As I mentioned last time, the first to write on…
The moments following a person’s death are deeply emotional and spiritually significant. One of the questions often asked in Muslim communities is whether it is permissible to view the face of the deceased. The answer is not entirely uniform, as Islamic practice on this matter varies across cultures and is subject to interpretation, though both…
We’re surrounded by activities that may seem harmless – buying a lottery ticket or playing arcade games to win prizes. These may appear to be just fun and games, but how should a Muslim approach these forms of entertainment? Gambling is clearly prohibited in Islam Allah ﷻ says in the Qur’an: “O you who believe!…