Dr. Mahmoud Omar

Can I accept scholarship’s donated from haram sources?

by

Question:Asalamu alaykum, I recently received a scholarship from Alberta Golf Foundation to assist me in paying my university tuition. In the congratulations email they explicitly mention that “The scholarships we provide each year are funded in part from our participation in working the Starlight Casino – West Edmonton Mall for a couple of days every … Read more

Fatawa Center’s Scholar

by

Our Scholar All fatwas at Fatawa Center are issued by a qualified and experienced scholar with a strong foundation in Islamic jurisprudence (fiqh) and its principles. Dr. Mahmoud A. Omar A Distinguished Scholar in Islamic Jurisprudence, Islamic Finance, and Shariah Sciences Dr. Mahmoud A. Omar is a leading Islamic scholar, recognized for his profound knowledge … Read more

Can crowdfunding for a halal startup or business idea be considered acceptable under Islamic investment rules?

by

Bismillah Ar -Rahman Ar-Raheem, Question:Can crowdfunding for a halal startup or business idea be considered acceptable under Islamic investment rules? Answer:Crowdfunding refers to raising small amounts of capital from a large number of people, typically via an online platform, to fund a project, startup, or business. The concept itself is not inherently prohibited in Islam … Read more

Mushārakah: Islamic Partnership Contracts and Their Modern Applications

by

The Prophet ﷺ said regarding partnerships: “The hand of Allah is with the two partners as long as they do not betray each other.”(Narrated by Abu Dawud, 3383; classed as hasan) Mushārakah: Islamic Partnership Contracts and Their Modern Applications Definition:Mushārakah (مشـاركة) is an Islamic partnership contract in which two or more parties contribute capital to … Read more

Is using buy-now-pay-later (BNPL) services Islamically permissible if paid off within the grace period?

by

Question:Is using buy-now-pay-later (BNPL) services Islamically permissible if paid off within the grace period? Answer: 1. What are BNPL (Buy-Now-Pay-Later) Services? BNPL services allow customers to purchase goods immediately while delaying full payment. Typically, they offer: 2. Scholarly Consensus (Ijma‘) and Established Opinions Contemporary Islamic jurisprudential bodies, including AAOIFI and the International Islamic Fiqh Academy, … Read more

Is reverse mortgage (home equity release) permitted for Muslim homeowners to fund retirement needs?

by

Question:Is reverse mortgage (home equity release) permitted for Muslim homeowners to fund retirement needs? Answer: 1. Understanding Reverse Mortgage (Home Equity Release) A reverse mortgage allows elderly homeowners to borrow money against the equity in their home. Repayment usually occurs upon the homeowner’s death, sale of the property, or permanent relocation. The loan typically accumulates … Read more

Is male birth control halal?

by

Question:Is the newly developed male birth-control pill—reported to have passed early human safety trials with no side-effects—halal for Muslim men to use? Answer:The default ruling in Islamic jurisprudence is that it is permissible in principle for a Muslim man to use a safe contraceptive method, but its use should be based on a valid need … Read more

What is the ruling on nasal spray, inhalers, suppositories and eye drops while fasting?

by

Question: What is the ruling on nasal spray, inhalers and eye drops while fasting? Answer: Passage Points (Manafid) That Invalidate the Fast In the context of fasting, “passage points” are the body’s natural orifices through which substances can reach the jawf (the internal cavity of the body, especially the stomach or areas connected to it).Classical … Read more

Prayer jummah before dhur athan

by

Question:Based on my understanding the time for Jummah overlaps with Dhur. I understand there is a difference of opinion on the matter but my question is in regards to: does that include the Khutba itself, or can the Khutba start before Dhuhr as long as the prayer itself is during Dhuhr? Answer:The majority of scholars … Read more

Is leasing a car halal?

by

Question:Is it halal to lease a car if the owner is not financing it? Since I’m not owning the vehicle and I don’t plan to buy it at the end, can I consider it as renting a car? Is it permissible to have full insurance coverage for the leased car? And who is supposed to … Read more

Can Muslims invest in ESG funds if they include companies with minor interest-based income?

by

Question:Can Muslims invest in ESG funds if they include companies with minor interest-based income? Answer: 1. Definition and Nature of ESG Funds What are ESG Funds? ESG funds are investment funds prioritizing companies that meet specific criteria related to: However, these ESG funds may include companies that, although primarily ethical in business practices, generate a … Read more

How should Muslims calculate zakah on digital assets like NFTs, stablecoins, and token holdings?

by

1. Understanding Digital Assets in Islamic Terms Before calculating Zakah, it’s essential to classify digital assets according to traditional Islamic jurisprudential categories. Contemporary scholars generally categorize digital assets as follows: Zakah calculation differs based on these categories. 2. Conditions for Zakh Obligation Zakah is obligatory when these general conditions are met: 3. Calculating Zakah by … Read more

Importance of Treating Non-Muslims with Respect in Islam

by

Importance of Treating Non-Muslims with Respect in Islam 1. Contemporary Context of Muslims in Non-Muslim Lands Muslims today living in non-Muslim countries operate under implicit or explicit agreements (عهد), such as citizenship, residency visas, or social contracts, establishing mutual rights and responsibilities. Contemporary Islamic scholars (e.g., Shaykh Yusuf al-Qaradawi, Shaykh Abdullah bin Bayyah, Islamic Fiqh … Read more

Can I have disability or life insurance?

by

Can I have disability or  life insurance? Question: Are Muslims allowed to have disability or term life insurance in non-Muslim countries like Canada, where there are no well-recognized alternatives like takaful, and families might suffer without such support? Short Answer: No, it is not allowed to take life insurance—including term life insurance—according to the consensus … Read more

Duff in Islam: Occasions, Gender & Nasheeds

by

Question:Is using or listening to the duff only permitted during weddings and Eid? Can it be used more generally, such as in Islamic nasheeds? Is it restricted to women only? Answer:Bismillahir Rahmanir Rahim The permissibility of the duff is established in multiple authentic reports in the Sunnah. It is one of the musical instruments clearly … Read more

Repaying a Loan After Currency Collapse

by

Question:If someone lends money in Lebanese lira, and at the time of the loan it was worth a certain amount in US dollars, but the currency later collapses — can the lender request repayment in Lebanese lira equal to the original dollar value? Answer:Bismillahir Rahmanir Rahim In cases of economic collapse or severe devaluation, Islamic … Read more

Multiple Janazah Prayers Permissible?

by

Question:In a community, is it permissible to pray multiple Janazah prayers over the same person? In my current community, a beloved member and former Imam passed away. They are planning to perform multiple Janazah prayers after each Jumu’ah Salah. Is that allowed? Answer:According to the Shafi’i school of thought, it is permissible to perform multiple … Read more

Is it permissible to pray Janazah (funeral prayer) over someone who is not physically present?

by

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

What is the ruling on engaging in political activism, protests, and civil demonstrations in non-Muslim countries?

by

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

Is it permissible for a Muslim to work as a content creator or social media influencer if the content is halal?

by

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