Ruling on Wealthsimple’s 1% Transfer Bonus and Account Benefits Question Wealthsimple is offering a 1% cash bonus for transferring investment accounts, such as an RRSP or TFSA, to its platform and maintaining the funds there for a specified period. These are investment accounts used to trade stocks and other investments, rather than ordinary savings accounts. … Read more
Reconciling the Hadiths About the Souls of the Martyrs Question Assalamu alaykum. I saw two hadiths about the martyrs in Paradise. One says that they will be green birds associated with lamps or lanterns, as reported in Sahih Muslim, while another says that they will be in a green tent on the bank of a … Read more
Does the Jumu’ah Khutbah Have to Be in Arabic? Question Does a Jumu’ah khutbah have to be in Arabic, or does at least a portion of it have to be Arabic? If the khatib begins with: إن الحمد لله نحمده ونستعينه ونستغفره ونعوذ بالله من شر انفسنا ومن سيئات اعمالنا من يهده الله فلا مضل … Read more
Is Ignorance an Excuse in Matters of Belief and Shirk? Question If a Muslim, perhaps during their teenage years after reaching puberty, believed or did something because they had been taught incorrectly or simply did not know better, and later discovered that a scholar considered that belief or action to be shirk, would the person … Read more
Reconciling the Hadiths About Mice, Lizards, and Transformed Nations Question I came across hadiths in Sahih al-Bukhari and Sahih Muslim which seem contradictory. In some narrations, the Prophet ﷺ appears to suggest that mice or lizards may have been from a transformed nation, while another hadith states that people whom Allah transformed did not reproduce. … Read more
Drawing Fictional Characters and Imagining Them Question I am a creative person and enjoy designing my own characters. I understand that there are Islamic rulings concerning drawing living beings, but my characters are fictional and are not similar to the creation of Allah. I have also become attached to these characters in my imagination. Sometimes … Read more
Newcomer Bank Account Bonuses in Canada Question Banks in Canada give newcomers cash bonuses for opening an account. Is this money halal, and can it be used for personal expenses such as a trip? Answer Alhamdulillah, wassalatu wassalamu ala rasulillah, wa ala alihi wa sahbihi ajma’in. A promotional bonus offered by a bank is not … Read more
Why Did the Prophet ﷺ Prohibit Prayer in Camel Pens and Describe Camels as Being from the Shayatin? Question Esselemu Aleikum. I saw a hadith which says that we cannot pray in camel pens and that camels are from the shayatin. What is the reason we cannot pray in these places, and what does it … Read more
Laughing at a Meme That Contains a Statement Contrary to Islamic Belief Question I was watching a humorous video with a friend about how documentaries sometimes use the worst possible pictures of people. At the beginning, someone described another person as a “child of God.” My immediate internal reaction was that I do not believe … Read more
Must an Adult Son Obey His Parents About Where He Lives, Works, and When He Marries? Question السلام عليكم ورحمة الله وبركاته، شيخ محمود. I am 18 years old. My parents want me to travel with them to another country and remain there until I begin university next year. I would prefer to remain in … Read more
Making Up the Two Sunnah Rak’ahs of Fajr After Its Time Has Ended Question If I’m working during Fajr time due to being on a night shift overseas, and I typically have to make up my Fajr prayer when I’m back at my hotel, is it still allowed to pray the Sunnah rak’ahs at that … Read more
Financial Responsibility Toward Parents Whose Hardship Results Partly from Their Own Choices Question Assalamu alaikum Sheikh, My parents are struggling financially because they have chosen to remain here despite overstaying their legal status. They have opportunities to return to our home country, but continue using their retirement money for rent and living expenses here. My … Read more
How Are the Hadiths Prohibiting Images Reconciled with the Opinion Permitting Drawing Living Beings? Question Esselemu Aleikum. I saw your fatwa on drawing living beings being permissible, and I found some hadiths which I did not really understand. In Sahih al-Bukhari 5957, Aishah bought a cushion containing pictures, and the Prophet ﷺ said that the … Read more
Can a Vow to Slaughter a Calf Be Replaced with Another Charitable Act? Question Peace be upon you, Sheikh. I made a vow to slaughter a small calf. Is it permissible for me to do another charitable act instead of slaughtering the calf and still be considered to have fulfilled my vow? Answer Alhamdulillah, wassalatu … Read more
Placing the Mushaf in a Suitcase or Carry-On Bag During Travel Question I know there are rulings and opinions about placing the Mushaf on the floor and on what shelf it should be kept, but what about packing it in a suitcase or carry-on bag for travel abroad? Answer Alhamdulillah, wassalatu wassalamu ala rasulillah, wa … Read more
The Daily Sunnah Prayers and Other Recommended Voluntary Prayers Question As-salamu alaykum. What are the outlined Sunnah prayers and the hadith that report them? Are there any other prayers not considered Sunnah that one should pray daily? Answer Alhamdulillah, wassalatu wassalamu ala rasulillah, wa ala alihi wa sahbihi ajma’in. 1. The Shari Context After the … Read more
Wearing Makeup in Front of Non-Mahram Men: What Is the Islamic Ruling? Question Assalamu Alaykum, I am very confused on this topic. Where exactly does makeup stand in terms of haram and halal, especially when wearing it outside the house in front of non-mahrams? Does it matter if it is very natural, or is all … Read more
Reading Atheistic or Philosophical Books That Contain Doubts About Islam: Is It Permissible? Question Is it permissible for a lay Muslim to read atheistic or philosophical books that contain arguments against the existence of God or criticize Islamic beliefs? If it is permissible, under what conditions? And is it considered makruh or haram if it … Read more
Renting Tables, Chairs, and Tents for Events: Is It Permissible? Question Salam, I was interested in starting a tent, table, and chair rental business. If I get a client that requests me to rent out my tables, chairs, and tents for a birthday, mixed wedding, or even a party gathering that is not Sharia-compliant, would … Read more
The Ruling on Foods Containing Mono- and Diglycerides of Unspecified Origin Question As-salāmu ʿalaykum wa raḥmatullāhi wa barakātuh, Shaykh. I have a question regarding the ingredient “mono- and diglycerides” that is commonly found in many packaged foods. From what I understand, this ingredient can be derived from either plant sources or animal sources, and the … Read more
A Husband Preventing His Wife from Traveling with a Trusted Group Despite Following a Madhhab That Permits It Question If a husband does not agree with his wife traveling with a trusted group in an environment that reasonably ensures her safety, even though both of them follow madhhabs that permit such travel under these conditions … Read more
Conventional Vehicle Leasing Through Toyota Financial Services: Is It Permissible? Question Assalam O Alaikum Wa Rahmatullahi Wa Barakatuhu, I have a question regarding conventional vehicle leasing offered by Toyota dealerships in Canada through Toyota Financial Services. The lease agreement includes a provision for late or missed payment penalties, either as a fixed amount or a … Read more
Wearing Football Jerseys with Religious Symbols: Is It Permissible? QuestionIs it permissible to wear football jerseys such as the AC Milan, Barcelona, and Manchester United kits? I have seen differing opinions due to their logos, with some stating it is actual shirk to wear the top, while others say it is permissible because of the … Read more
Prediction Contests with No Entry Fee: Are They Considered Gambling? QuestionAssalamu Alaikum, Shaykh. We know that lotteries and gambling are prohibited (haram) in Islam. I have a question about some activities that seem different because there is no participation fee. At my workplace, we have a prediction game every spring. Employees try to predict the … Read more
Reading Profanity in Games, Books, and Subtitles: Is It Permissible? Question“I play a game with swear words. I mute the audio so I don’t hear them, but the bad words still show up in the subtitles. I read them silently in my mind, not out loud, just for fun. And it’s not a passing thought, … Read more
Prayer and Fasting Times in Extreme Northern Latitudes: Can You Follow Another City Due to Hardship? QuestionAssalamu Alaykum, I am currently in Inuvik, NWT (68°N), and seeking your advice on prayer times. Inuvik still has a real sunset, but it is happening close to 1:00 AM. As a traveller, I combine Maghrib and Isha, which … Read more
Using MiraDRY to Permanently Destroy Sweat Glands: Is It Permissible? QuestionSalam Imam Mahmoud, MiraDRY is a procedure that uses local microwaves to destroy sweat glands. It otherwise leaves the skin and other tissues intact. It is typically used in the armpits. Some patients may get it due to pungent body odor, or excessive sweating. Some … Read more