Dr. Mamoud Omar Question:Is reciting Qur’an or Surah al-Fatiha at the grave permissible? Answer:Bismillahir Rahmanir Rahim The matter of reciting the Qur’an at the grave—such as Surah al-Fatiha or other passages—is a well-known topic addressed by the scholars of the four madhhabs. The origin of the discussion is based on the principle of benefit for the deceased (iṣāl … Read more
Question:Is it permissible to pray Janazah (funeral prayer) over someone who is not physically present? Answer:Bismillahir Rahmanir Rahim The funeral prayer (Salat al-Janazah) is a communal obligation (fard kifayah) upon the Muslims when one of them dies. The prayer involves making du’a for the deceased and is distinct from other prayers in that it has … Read more
Question:What is the ruling on Muslims celebrating birthdays? Answer:Bismillahir Rahmanir Rahim The ruling on celebrating birthdays returns to two major legal questions: Principle 1: Innovation in Religion vs. Custom The Prophet ﷺ said:“Whoever introduces into this matter of ours that which is not from it, it is rejected.” (Bukhari, Muslim) This hadith is applied to … Read more
Question:What is the ruling on engaging in political activism, protests, and civil demonstrations in non-Muslim countries? Answer:Bismillahir Rahmanir Rahim The ruling on participating in political activism and public demonstrations is tied to a number of Islamic legal principles, including the obligation of enjoining good and forbidding evil (amr bil ma’ruf wa nahi ‘an al-munkar), the … Read more
Question:Is it permissible for a Muslim to work as a content creator or social media influencer if the content is halal? Answer:Bismillah ar-Rahman ar-RahimAlhamdulillahi Rabbil Alamin, was-salatu was-salamu ala ashrafil anbiya wal-mursalin, nabiyyina Muhammad, wa ala alihi wa sahbihi ajma’in, wa man tabi’ahum bi ihsan ila yawmid-din. The default ruling in muamalat is that any … Read more
Question:What is the ruling on men wearing jewelry, such as necklaces, bracelets, or rings? Answer:Bismillahir Rahmanir Rahim Jewelry for men falls under the category of zina (adornment), and the rulings regarding it are based on clear prophetic texts, as well as the guidelines established by the scholars. First: Evidence from the Sunnah The Prophet ﷺ … Read more
Question: Is working in a non-halal industry (e.g., banks, supermarkets selling alcohol) allowed? Answer: بِسْمِ اللَّهِ الرَّحْمَنِ الرَّحِيمِ، الْـحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ رَبِّ الْعَالَمِينَ، وَالصَّلَاةُ وَالسَّلَامُ عَلَى أَشْرَفِ الْأَنْبِيَاءِ وَالْمُرْسَلِينَ، نَبِيِّنَا مُحَمَّدٍ، وَعَلَى آلِهِ وَصَحْبِهِ أَجْمَعِينَ، وَمَنْ تَبِعَهُمْ بِإِحْسَانٍ إِلَى يَوْمِ الدِّينِ. Islam obligates the Muslim to earn a livelihood through lawful means. Working in a job … Read more
Question: Is it permissible to rely on AI-powered systems for Islamic legal rulings and fatawā? Answer: بِسْمِ اللَّهِ الرَّحْمَنِ الرَّحِيمِ، الْـحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ رَبِّ الْعَالَمِينَ، وَالصَّلَاةُ وَالسَّلَامُ عَلَى أَشْرَفِ الْأَنْبِيَاءِ وَالْمُرْسَلِينَ، نَبِيِّنَا مُحَمَّدٍ، وَعَلَى آلِهِ وَصَحْبِهِ أَجْمَعِينَ، وَمَنْ تَبِعَهُمْ بِإِحْسَانٍ إِلَى يَوْمِ الدِّينِ. The field of iftāʾ (legal response) is rooted in deep knowledge, ijtihād, and … Read more
Question:What is the ruling on following a minority opinion in fiqh when living in non-Muslim lands? Answer:بِسْمِ اللَّهِ الرَّحْمَنِ الرَّحِيمِ،الْـحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ رَبِّ الْعَالَمِينَ، وَالصَّلَاةُ وَالسَّلَامُ عَلَى أَشْرَفِ الْأَنْبِيَاءِ وَالْمُرْسَلِينَ، نَبِيِّنَا مُحَمَّدٍ، وَعَلَى آلِهِ وَصَحْبِهِ أَجْمَعِينَ، وَمَنْ تَبِعَهُمْ بِإِحْسَانٍ إِلَى يَوْمِ الدِّينِ. The basis of following a madhhab is rooted in the principle of taqlīd—relying upon … Read more
Question:If I miss Fajr prayer because I’m having a hard time waking up, what is the latest time I can pray it? Can I pray it when I first wake up, as long as it’s before Zuhr? Answer:بِسْمِ اللَّهِ الرَّحْمَنِ الرَّحِيمِ،الْـحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ رَبِّ الْعَالَمِينَ، وَالصَّلَاةُ وَالسَّلَامُ عَلَى أَشْرَفِ الْأَنْبِيَاءِ وَالْمُرْسَلِينَ، نَبِيِّنَا مُحَمَّدٍ، وَعَلَى آلِهِ وَصَحْبِهِ … Read more
Question: Is court marriage valid in Islam without an Islamic nikāḥ? Answer: بِسْمِ اللَّهِ الرَّحْمَنِ الرَّحِيمِ، الْـحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ رَبِّ الْعَالَمِينَ، وَالصَّلَاةُ وَالسَّلَامُ عَلَى أَشْرَفِ الْأَنْبِيَاءِ وَالْمُرْسَلِينَ، نَبِيِّنَا مُحَمَّدٍ، وَعَلَى آلِهِ وَصَحْبِهِ أَجْمَعِينَ، وَمَنْ تَبِعَهُمْ بِإِحْسَانٍ إِلَى يَوْمِ الدِّينِ. A valid marriage in Islamic law (nikāḥ) requires fulfillment of specific conditions outlined in the Sunnah and … Read more
Question: Can a Muslim marry someone who does not pray? Answer: بِسْمِ اللَّهِ الرَّحْمَنِ الرَّحِيمِ، الْـحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ رَبِّ الْعَالَمِينَ، وَالصَّلَاةُ وَالسَّلَامُ عَلَى أَشْرَفِ الْأَنْبِيَاءِ وَالْمُرْسَلِينَ، نَبِيِّنَا مُحَمَّدٍ، وَعَلَى آلِهِ وَصَحْبِهِ أَجْمَعِينَ، وَمَنْ تَبِعَهُمْ بِإِحْسَانٍ إِلَى يَوْمِ الدِّينِ. Ṣalāh is the most important pillar of Islām after the testimony of faith. Abandoning it is among the … Read more
Question: What is the ruling on secret or ‘urfi marriages without a guardian (walī)? Answer: بِسْمِ اللَّهِ الرَّحْمَنِ الرَّحِيمِ، الْـحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ رَبِّ الْعَالَمِينَ، وَالصَّلَاةُ وَالسَّلَامُ عَلَى أَشْرَفِ الْأَنْبِيَاءِ وَالْمُرْسَلِينَ، نَبِيِّنَا مُحَمَّدٍ، وَعَلَى آلِهِ وَصَحْبِهِ أَجْمَعِينَ، وَمَنْ تَبِعَهُمْ بِإِحْسَانٍ إِلَى يَوْمِ الدِّينِ. The validity of a marriage contract in Sharīʿah is based on certain conditions, among … Read more
Question: Are cashback and rewards from credit cards considered ribā (interest)? Answer: بِسْمِ اللَّهِ الرَّحْمَنِ الرَّحِيمِ، الْـحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ رَبِّ الْعَالَمِينَ، وَالصَّلَاةُ وَالسَّلَامُ عَلَى أَشْرَفِ الْأَنْبِيَاءِ وَالْمُرْسَلِينَ، نَبِيِّنَا مُحَمَّدٍ، وَعَلَى آلِهِ وَصَحْبِهِ أَجْمَعِينَ، وَمَنْ تَبِعَهُمْ بِإِحْسَانٍ إِلَى يَوْمِ الدِّينِ. Conventional credit card agreements usually include a clause allowing the issuer to charge interest (ribā) on late … Read more
Question: Can a Muslim invest in conventional stock markets or ETFs? Answer: بِسْمِ اللَّهِ الرَّحْمَنِ الرَّحِيمِ، الْـحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ رَبِّ الْعَالَمِينَ، وَالصَّلَاةُ وَالسَّلَامُ عَلَى أَشْرَفِ الْأَنْبِيَاءِ وَالْمُرْسَلِينَ، نَبِيِّنَا مُحَمَّدٍ، وَعَلَى آلِهِ وَصَحْبِهِ أَجْمَعِينَ، وَمَنْ تَبِعَهُمْ بِإِحْسَانٍ إِلَى يَوْمِ الدِّينِ. Investment and business ownership are generally permissible in Islam, provided they are free from prohibited elements such … Read more
Question: What is the ruling on cryptocurrencies in Islamic finance? Answer: بِسْمِ اللَّهِ الرَّحْمَنِ الرَّحِيمِ، الْـحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ رَبِّ الْعَالَمِينَ، وَالصَّلَاةُ وَالسَّلَامُ عَلَى أَشْرَفِ الْأَنْبِيَاءِ وَالْمُرْسَلِينَ، نَبِيِّنَا مُحَمَّدٍ، وَعَلَى آلِهِ وَصَحْبِهِ أَجْمَعِينَ، وَمَنْ تَبِعَهُمْ بِإِحْسَانٍ إِلَى يَوْمِ الدِّينِ. Cryptocurrencies are a modern financial phenomenon not explicitly addressed in classical fiqh texts. However, their permissibility is assessed … Read more
Question: Is fasting obligatory for individuals with mental health conditions? Answer: بِسْمِ اللَّهِ الرَّحْمَنِ الرَّحِيمِ، الْـحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ رَبِّ الْعَالَمِينَ، وَالصَّلَاةُ وَالسَّلَامُ عَلَى أَشْرَفِ الْأَنْبِيَاءِ وَالْمُرْسَلِينَ، نَبِيِّنَا مُحَمَّدٍ، وَعَلَى آلِهِ وَصَحْبِهِ أَجْمَعِينَ، وَمَنْ تَبِعَهُمْ بِإِحْسَانٍ إِلَى يَوْمِ الدِّينِ. Fasting in the month of Ramaḍān is an individual obligation (farḍ ʿayn) upon every accountable Muslim. Accountability (taklīf) … Read more
Question: Can ghusl (ritual bath) be delayed until after Fajr during Ramaḍān? Answer: بِسْمِ اللَّهِ الرَّحْمَنِ الرَّحِيمِ، الْـحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ رَبِّ الْعَالَمِينَ، وَالصَّلَاةُ وَالسَّلَامُ عَلَى أَشْرَفِ الْأَنْبِيَاءِ وَالْمُرْسَلِينَ، نَبِيِّنَا مُحَمَّدٍ، وَعَلَى آلِهِ وَصَحْبِهِ أَجْمَعِينَ، وَمَنْ تَبِعَهُمْ بِإِحْسَانٍ إِلَى يَوْمِ الدِّينِ. One of the conditions for fasting is entering the state of fasting with the correct intention … Read more
Question: Do injections or IV fluids break the fast? Answer: بِسْمِ اللَّهِ الرَّحْمَنِ الرَّحِيمِ، الْـحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ رَبِّ الْعَالَمِينَ، وَالصَّلَاةُ وَالسَّلَامُ عَلَى أَشْرَفِ الْأَنْبِيَاءِ وَالْمُرْسَلِينَ، نَبِيِّنَا مُحَمَّدٍ، وَعَلَى آلِهِ وَصَحْبِهِ أَجْمَعِينَ، وَمَنْ تَبِعَهُمْ بِإِحْسَانٍ إِلَى يَوْمِ الدِّينِ. The fast is broken by anything that reaches the stomach or body cavity through a recognized passage and provides … Read more
Question: Is it permissible to use toothpaste or mouthwash while fasting? Answer: بِسْمِ اللَّهِ الرَّحْمَنِ الرَّحِيمِ، الْـحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ رَبِّ الْعَالَمِينَ، وَالصَّلَاةُ وَالسَّلَامُ عَلَى أَشْرَفِ الْأَنْبِيَاءِ وَالْمُرْسَلِينَ، نَبِيِّنَا مُحَمَّدٍ، وَعَلَى آلِهِ وَصَحْبِهِ أَجْمَعِينَ، وَمَنْ تَبِعَهُمْ بِإِحْسَانٍ إِلَى يَوْمِ الدِّينِ. The fast is invalidated when something reaches the stomach through a known passage, such as the mouth … Read more
Question: Does accidentally eating or drinking invalidate the fast? Answer: بِسْمِ اللَّهِ الرَّحْمَنِ الرَّحِيمِ، الْـحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ رَبِّ الْعَالَمِينَ، وَالصَّلَاةُ وَالسَّلَامُ عَلَى أَشْرَفِ الْأَنْبِيَاءِ وَالْمُرْسَلِينَ، نَبِيِّنَا مُحَمَّدٍ، وَعَلَى آلِهِ وَصَحْبِهِ أَجْمَعِينَ، وَمَنْ تَبِعَهُمْ بِإِحْسَانٍ إِلَى يَوْمِ الدِّينِ. Fasting in Ramaḍān is a fundamental obligation, and its nullifiers are clearly outlined in the Qur’ān and Sunnah. Among … Read more
Question: Can prayer be performed wearing tight or modern clothing? Answer: بِسْمِ اللَّهِ الرَّحْمَنِ الرَّحِيمِ، الْـحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ رَبِّ الْعَالَمِينَ، وَالصَّلَاةُ وَالسَّلَامُ عَلَى أَشْرَفِ الْأَنْبِيَاءِ وَالْمُرْسَلِينَ، نَبِيِّنَا مُحَمَّدٍ، وَعَلَى آلِهِ وَصَحْبِهِ أَجْمَعِينَ، وَمَنْ تَبِعَهُمْ بِإِحْسَانٍ إِلَى يَوْمِ الدِّينِ. Covering the ʿawrah is a condition for the validity of ṣalāh according to all four madhāhib. Allah says: … Read more
Question: Are artificial nails or nail polish allowed during prayer and wuḍūʾ? Answer: بِسْمِ اللَّهِ الرَّحْمَنِ الرَّحِيمِ، الْـحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ رَبِّ الْعَالَمِينَ، وَالصَّلَاةُ وَالسَّلَامُ عَلَى أَشْرَفِ الْأَنْبِيَاءِ وَالْمُرْسَلِينَ، نَبِيِّنَا مُحَمَّدٍ، وَعَلَى آلِهِ وَصَحْبِهِ أَجْمَعِينَ، وَمَنْ تَبِعَهُمْ بِإِحْسَانٍ إِلَى يَوْمِ الدِّينِ. One of the conditions for the validity of wuḍūʾ is that water must reach all parts … Read more
Question: Can missed prayers from past years be made up (qaḍāʾ)? Answer: بِسْمِ اللَّهِ الرَّحْمَنِ الرَّحِيمِ، الْـحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ رَبِّ الْعَالَمِينَ، وَالصَّلَاةُ وَالسَّلَامُ عَلَى أَشْرَفِ الْأَنْبِيَاءِ وَالْمُرْسَلِينَ، نَبِيِّنَا مُحَمَّدٍ، وَعَلَى آلِهِ وَصَحْبِهِ أَجْمَعِينَ، وَمَنْ تَبِعَهُمْ بِإِحْسَانٍ إِلَى يَوْمِ الدِّينِ. The obligation to make up missed prayers is established by the statement of the Prophet ﷺ: “مَنْ … Read more
Question: Does touching one’s spouse break wudu? Answer: بِسْمِ اللَّهِ الرَّحْمَنِ الرَّحِيمِ، الْـحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ رَبِّ الْعَالَمِينَ، وَالصَّلَاةُ وَالسَّلَامُ عَلَى أَشْرَفِ الْأَنْبِيَاءِ وَالْمُرْسَلِينَ، نَبِيِّنَا مُحَمَّدٍ، وَعَلَى آلِهِ وَصَحْبِهِ أَجْمَعِينَ، وَمَنْ تَبِعَهُمْ بِإِحْسَانٍ إِلَى يَوْمِ الدِّينِ. The Qur’ān says: ﴿ أَوْ لَامَسْتُمُ النِّسَاءَ ﴾“Or you touched women…” (Sūrat al-Nisāʾ: 43). The scholars differed in the interpretation of … Read more
Question: What is the ruling on using digital devices (apps or smartwatches) for Qibla direction and adhkār? Answer: Yes, it is permissible to use Qiblah apps, smartwatches, or digital devices for direction and adhkār, as long as accuracy is maintained and they do not distract from the purpose of worship. Wallāhu Aʿlam.
Question: What is the ruling on praying while sitting due to lack of space or fatigue? Answer: It is not allowed to pray a farḍ prayer while sitting due to crowding or tiredness if one is physically able to stand. If one is sick are unable they may sit. Standing is a pillar of the … Read more