Surrogacy in Islam The issue of surrogacy has been considered by Islamic scholars. Within Shiʿa thought, some jurists view surrogacy as a form of assisted reproduction that can help couples struggling to conceive naturally. In contrast, the vast majority of Sunni scholars have ruled that surrogacy is entirely prohibited (haram) in Islam, and thus not…
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…
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,…
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)…
Combining salah in the Hanafi School According to the Hanafi school, combining between prayers is not permitted. Maliki, Shafi’i and Hanbali opinion on combining Jumu’ah with Asr Salah In the Maliki, Shafi’i, and Hanbali it is allowed to join Dhuhr with Asr, and Maghrib with Isha when travelling or under specific circumstances. By extension, Jumu’ah…
One of the most painful realities within many Muslim families today, particularly in South Asian and Middle Eastern cultures, is the interference of parents and in-laws in their children’s marriages. Whether it’s choosing a spouse, managing the relationship, or raising grandchildren, this interference often goes beyond well-meaning advice and becomes a cause of long-term damage…
If your mother or father is unjust, their injustice does not nullify their rights over you. The rights of parents (both the mother or father) over their child are immense. Allah has commanded the child to treat his parents kindly, even if they are polytheists and urge him to associate partners with Allah. Allah says:…
What is mahr? Mahr is the obligation that the groom gives to the bride at the time of marriage. It is a sum of money or other property, which becomes payable by the husband to the wife as part of the marriage contact (nikkah). It is commanded in the Qur’an: “And give the women [upon…
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…
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…
The position of women during salah in the Hanafi Madhhab In the Hanafi school of thought, the manner in which a woman performs salah differs in several key ways from that of a man. It differentiates between the prayer posture of men and women based on modesty and humility. 1. Standing (Qiyām) A woman…
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!…
Is my slate wiped clean when I go for Umrah or Hajj? It is a common perception that going for ʿUmrah or Ḥajj erases one’s sins, and this is indeed true to a great extent. Both acts are immense opportunities for purification and renewal, but there are important nuances to understand. Hajj as a purifier…
Islamic inheritance laws are not based on human judgement or personal preference—they are set by Allah in the Quran with wisdom, justice, and compassion. Once a person passes away, their estate must be divided according to the clear shares outlined in Surah An-Nisa (4:11–14). It is not permissible to alter these fixed portions or to…