Is music haram in Islam? Common misconceptions Many Muslims grow up believing that music is haram, an absolute prohibition. They do not appreciate that it is not a black and white issue, like pork for example. It is often presented as a cut and dried verdict with little room for disagreement. The reality is that…
In Islam we believe that Allah is Al Shafi, the One who cures and heals. Though Allah controls the cure, He provides different channels through which the cure is delivered. At our disposal we have medicine, dua and ruqya. The Prophet (peace be upon him) also used cupping (hijama). Jabir (may Allah be pleased with…
Ramadan is a month of ibadah and increasing our closeness to Allah Almighty by increasing in our worship. Whether it is our recitation of the Quran or by doing additional salah. One of these is the tarawih prayer. The tarawih prayer is a sunnah prayer. Abu Huraira narrated: I heard Allah’s Messenger (peace be on…
The Witr Guide What is the correct way to pray witr? When should it be prayed? And what should you recite? There are differences in the schools of thought on this matter, based on different narrations, which we will summarise for you inshallah. What is the witr prayer? Witr means odd number. It is the…
We are all familiar with the concept of shaheed when it is related to the one who sacrifices their life for Allah with the right intention. What does shaheed mean in Islam? The word shaheed (shahid) means witness, and martyrs are called shaheed because their blood will be witness for them. What are the different…
The 7 sunnahs of birth When we have a new-born, we are grateful to Allah Almighty for the blessing. From the sunnah we have to do 7 things. 1. Delivering the good news (bishra) Announce the arrival of the baby to our relatives and friends that you have been blessed with a baby who is…
In this current climate, grief seems to be a swamp which we are collectively sinking into. There is so much sadness around us. Many of us have lost close relatives, loved ones, parents, children and colleagues. The pain is raw and deep. There are of course, different degrees of sadness: severe, unshakeable sadness, which needs…
Salawat Ibrahimiya Allahumma salli ala muhammadiw wa ala aali muhammadin kamaa sallaita ala ibrahima wa ala aali ibrahima innaka hamidum majid. allahumma baarik ala muhammadiw wa ala aali muhammadin kamaa baarakta ala ibrahima wa ala aali ibrahima innaka hamidum majid. “O Allah, let Your Blessings come upon Muhammad and the family of Muhammad, as you…
We recite the at-tahiyyat in our salah in our sitting position after sujjud, after every two rakahs in all our prayers. What is the significance of the words we recite? The Tashahhud التَّحِيَّاتُ لِلَّهِ وَالصَّلَوَاتُ وَالطَّيِّبَاتُ، السَّلاَمُ عَلَيْكَ أَيُّهَا النَّبِيُّ وَرَحْمَةُ اللَّهِ وَبَرَكَاتُهُ، السَّلاَمُ عَلَيْنَا وَعَلَى عِبَادِ اللَّهِ الصَّالِحِينَ، أَشْهَدُ أَنْ لاَ إِلَهَ إِلاَّ اللَّهُ…
Are photos haram? The permissibility of photography is a matter of disagreement among scholars. There are two camps and we can see why this has arisen by looking at the main hadith and how they derived their conclusions. Context of the prohibition It is important to understand the context in which the Quran and sunnah…
Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her) is reported to have said: “He did what one of you would do in his house. He mended sandals and patched garments and sewed.” (Adab Al-Mufrad) In another narration, Aisha, the wife of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be on him), was asked: “What did the Prophet (peace be…
Women may pierce their ears In general women have had their ears pierced throughout history and throughout the world. This is permissible. However, multiple ear piercings would require the consent of the husband as he might find it unattractive in his wife. Therefore it is a matter of mutual consent. (Similarly it is not right…
Are mortgages halal? In Islam usury is clearly forbidden. It is a major sin and is one of the seven gravest ones. Those who commit it are considered as waging war against Allah Almighty and His Prophet (peace be on him). Fiqh Councils throughout the Muslim World state that bank interest is usury. Those who…
Equality for women’s pay Where does Islam stand on women’s place in society? Is she allowed to have equal pay and be in positions of leadership? I wonder why people separate women from society as if they are a different species. When Allah Almighty said, Ya Ayuhal Ladhina Amanu, (O you who believe) He did…
The beautification and adornment of women goes back to time immemorial. If a woman wants to beautify herself what are the limits? Beautification can be sinful and can be rewarding. The basic principle in Islam is that beautification in public is not permissible. In Islam, women can beautify themselves within their homes (i.e in front…