Financial transactions
Riba
Halal and haram
Prohibitions and alternatives
Halloween is not a religious festival Halloween is not a religious festival, though it appears to have its origins in pagan and later Christian traditions. It is a secular celebration. Traditionally it is thought that the Celts believed that on the night of 31st October, the ghosts of the deceased returned to the world. Historically,…
Though Muslims definitely believe in the Prophet Eesa (peace be on him), we don’t know the exact day of his birth and we don’t celebrate his birth or Christmas anyway. Indeed we don’t celebrate the birthday of any prophet, including the Prophet Muhammad (peace be on him). Instead, we might deliver a talk about him…
Is it haram to celebrate birthdays? Birthday parties are not haram in themselves. There is nothing haram about celebrating the day someone was born, as long as that celebration does not involve doing anything prohibited, for instance serving alcohol or having inappropriately revealing clothes. Birthdays are not related to worship or belief It is a…
Ghusl requires washing the whole body Ghusl is required to come out of a state of janabah (ritual impurity) and ghusl involves washing the entire body including the hair. Aisha narrated: Whenever the Prophet (peace be on him) took a bath after Janaba he started by washing his hands and then performed ablution like that…
Suicide is prohibited in the Quran. ۞ وَلَا تَقۡتُلُواْ ٱلنَّفۡسَ ٱلَّتِي حَرَّمَ ٱللَّهُ إِلَّا بِٱلۡحَقِّۚ ذَٰلِكُمۡ وَصَّىٰكُم بِهِۦ لَعَلَّكُمۡ تَعۡقِلُونَ And do not kill the self that Allah has prohibited, except with the truth (i.e., by right, in the course of justice). [6:151] Allah Almighty sanctified our soul, so we are forbidden to kill it. The only time He sanctioned killing it is in the pursuit of justice….
Many people wonder if gelatine is halal. It is not only present in many sweets and deserts but also in medicines, including the nasal flu vaccine. The ‘no’ camp There is a difference of opinion among scholars. Imams Shafi’, Maliki and Hanbali held that once something is impure then it is always impure. The ‘yes’…
We have different opinions on this topic: The opinion that women should not recite the Quran There is a common perception that women may not recite the Quran during their period. This idea stems from the following hadith: Ibn ‘Umar May Allah be pleased with him reported that the messenger of Allah ( peace be…
On the authority of Abu Hurairah (may Allah be pleased with him), the Prophet (peace be upon him) said that the Allah Almighty said: I am the adversary of three people on the Day of Judgement- and whoever is My adversary will be defeated: A man took people’s trust in My name and betrayed them A…
Can you hold a Khatam al Quran or recite the Quran for the deceased Widespread practice The practice of holding khatams is so widespread in the community. Probably more than 80 percent of people do this. Is it permissible? In a nutshell, in our time, the entire ummah, barring a small minority, say that it…
Praying the salatul janaza (janaza prayer) Praying the janazah (funeral) prayer is prescribed for both men and women, because the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: “Whoever attends the janazah until he offers the prayer will have one qirat (of reward), and whoever attends until (the deceased) is buried will have…
The first ten days of Dhul Hijjah are the best ten days of the year and the month of Hajj. The Prophet (peace be on him) highly recommended that we should fast during the first 9 days. The 9th day is the Day of Arafah, and the Prophet (peace be on him) said: There is…
The prohibition of alcohol was introduced gradually. It happened in stages. This is gradualism. As Islam was revealed over 23 years, the dos and dont’s were not delivered in a single complete package as we have now. Rather, a process of transforming hearts, minds and social practices took place as the verses were revealed bit…
The Prophet (peace be on him) used to fast the 6 days of Shawwal. They do not have to be fasted consecutively but at any time during the month. When can you fast after Eid? You can fast from 2nd Shawwal, but it is better to delay the fasting the six days of Shawwal until…
Sadly there is widespread confusion over whether to perform ghusl over those who have passed away due to the coronavirus. Need for clarity As well as the distress and bereavement of losing loved members of the family and community, there is anxiety among families on the issue, and a need for clarity and assurance that the…
Allah Almighty said: We will certainly test you with some fear and hunger, and some loss of possessions and lives and crops. But give good news to the steadfast. (2:155) وَلَنَبْلُوَنَّكُم بِشَيْءٍ مِّنَ الْخَوْفِ وَالْجُوعِ وَنَقْصٍ مِّنَ الْأَمْوَالِ وَالْأَنفُسِ وَالثَّمَرَاتِ ۗ وَبَشِّرِ الصَّابِرِينَ The Coronavirus is a test for us all Without doubt…