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…
There are multiple hadith regarding Surah Yaseen. Though there are different opinions on their levels of authenticity, the number of hadith on Surah Yaseen are evidence for its recommendation. In particular, in an authentic hadith, the Prophet (peace be on him) recommended reciting it when someone is dying. Ma’qil ibn Yasar (may Allah be pleased…
There are simple deeds that carry extraordinary rewards. One of these is performing the voluntary prayers that Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) consistently prayed alongside the obligatory prayers. In a beautiful hadith, the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said: “Whoever prays twelve rakahs in a day and night, a house will…
It is recommended to pray Tahiyyatul Masjid (two rak’ahs to greet the mosque.) when you enter the mosque. Additionally it is recommended to pray Sunnah before Jumu’ah (either 2 or 4 rak’ahs). You may combine the intention of Tahiyyatul Masjid with the Sunnah ra’kahs. So if you pray 2 rak’ahs intending both Tahiyyatul Masjid and…
What to do if a salah has started when you arrive If someone joins the congregation after the salah has begun, they are considered a masbuq (a latecomer). If you arrive late, and the jama (congregation) has began to pray the salah, how do you join in? How you complete your salah depends on how…
Can you perform Umrah or Tawaf on behalf of someone else? Can you perform Umrah or Tawaf on behalf of a loved one who has passed away or someone unable to go themselves? The answer is: yes, you can. Here’s what you need to know. Performing Umrah for someone else (Umrah Badal) You can…
If you travel during Ramadan, it’s possible that the place you arrive at is celebrating Eid a day earlier than where you started. In that case, you should celebrate Eid with the local community and not fast while they are celebrating. You should then make up the missed fast after Ramadan, as soon as possible.
In Islam, putting down (euthanising) a cat is only permissible if the animal is suffering from an illness, injury, or condition that causes unbearable pain with no hope of recovery. Islam teaches kindness and mercy towards animals, and causing unnecessary harm or death is strictly forbidden. Mercy towards animals We have been taught to be…
Dua for insomnia If you have difficulty falling asleep, the Prophetic Dua for this is: “اللّٰهُمَّ غَارَتِ النُّجُومُ، وَهَدَأَتِ الْعُيُونُ، وَأَنْتَ حَيُّ قَيُّومٌ، لَا تَأْخُذُكَ سِنَةٌ وَلَا نَوْمٌ، يَا حَيُّ يَا قَيُّومُ، أَهْدِئْ لِيَلِي، وَأَنِمْ عَيْنِي” Allāhumma ghāratin-nujūmu, wa hada’atil-‘uyūnu, wa anta Ḥayyun Qayyūm, lā ta’khudhuka sinatun wa lā nawmun, yā Ḥayyu yā Qayyūm, ahdi’…
A woman who has had a miscarriage falls into one of two cases: 1. The first is if the foetus was fully formed or its creation was clearly visible, such as its hands, feet, or other features. In this case, the woman is considered in the post-partum period (nifas). This is the opinion of the…
There are different opinions on this depending on the different schools of thought. The opinions are as follows: Hanafi School: Blood that flows out of the body and spreads (i.e., beyond the wound site) nullifies wudu. Maliki & Shafi’i Schools: Blood does not break wudu, regardless of the amount, unless it comes out from the…
Never delay taking the shahada Anyone who is considering becoming Muslim, should not delay their shahada. None of us know how long we have in this world. This life is temporary and we must all leave it. As only Allah knows the time and place of our death, someone who has a terminal condition may…
For someone who is ill and finds it too difficult to stand during prayer, it is allowed for them to sit. If sitting is also challenging, they may pray while lying down. Prayer of the Sick Person Al-Quduri (973–1037 CE), the prominent Hanafi jurist and scholar, laid out the following rules in his best known…