Buying a Car through Islamic Financing: What’s Allowed and What’s Not Question: When financing a car through Toyota, you can go through their own Toyota Financial Services . They still charge interest on the loan provided, why is this halal and how is it different then getting a mortgage through a bank? Answer: When you … Read more
Is Red Wine Vinaigrette Halal to Consume? QuestionI had a question regarding food. Is it permissible to consume red wine vinaigrette? I ordered a vegetarian sub, and it included this sauce, which was listed as vegetarian. Would this be allowed? AnswerAlhamdulillah, wassalatu wassalamu ala rasulillah, wa ala alihi wa sahbihi ajmain. 1. The Shar‘i Basis … Read more
Missing Jumu’ah (Friday) prayer due to work – what’s the ruling? What’s the ruling on work and salat jummah. I asked my work if I am allowed to go there’s no way I will be able to go for salah. Answer: Jumu’ah prayer is an obligation on every adult Muslim man, and all four major … Read more
Marriage Questions and Answers Q: In an online marriage, how is the offer and acceptance (ijab wa qabul) properly done, and what are the requirements for witnesses? A: In an online marriage, the ijab (offer) and qabul (acceptance) must take place in the same live session (majlis al-‘aqd). The wali (e.g., the father) must say … Read more
How Are Ijab and Qabul Conducted in an Online Marriage, and What Are the Witness Requirements? QuestionIn an online marriage, how is the offer and acceptance (ijab wa qabul) properly done, and what are the requirements for witnesses? AnswerAlhamdulillah, wassalatu wassalamu ala rasulillah, wa ala alihi wa sahbihi ajmain. 1. The Shar‘i Context A nikah … Read more
Respect for the Madhahib and Following Evidence Q: Why is there emphasis on not being extreme about madhhab opinions online? A: Many scholars warn against taking fiqh positions from unqualified sources online. People often become overly strict or dismissive of others based on opinions they read, leading to division in the community. It’s essential to … Read more
Bid‘ah and Scholarly Disagreement Q: Many online sources label practices as bid‘ah (innovation). Should we trust these judgments? A: It is important to be cautious when taking religious rulings from online sources. Not everything labeled as bid‘ah online is necessarily a true innovation. Islamic knowledge is built upon scholarship, careful understanding, and the principles laid … Read more
Fiqh of Salah (Prayer-Related Issues) Q: Is reciting Al-Fatiha in Salah a pillar (rukn) of the prayer in all schools of thought?A: According to the Shafi‘i school of thought, reciting Al-Fatiha is a pillar (rukn) of Salah, and thus obligatory in every rak‘ah. If a person misses the recitation—even unintentionally—the rak‘ah is invalid and must … Read more
Justice Among Children Q: If a father favors one child over the others by giving him special gifts and not the others, is this permissible? A:No, it is not permissible.The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ refused to witness a gift given to only one child without equal treatment to the others, saying, “I do not witness injustice.“ … Read more
1. Rules During Revocable Divorce (‘Iddah Period) Q: My husband has divorced me for the second time, but we are still living in the same house with our children. What are the limitations in this situation? Are there things we must refrain from? A:If a husband divorces his wife for the first or second time, … Read more
Fiqh Guide: Organized Q&A on Combining Salah (Prayer) Category: General Principles of Combining Salah Q: Is there evidence in Islam for combining two prayers, such as Dhuhr with Asr, and Maghrib with Isha? A: Yes, it is established through authentic Ahadith in Sahih al-Bukhari, Sahih Muslim, and the Sunan collections (such as Abu Dawud, al-Tirmidhi, … Read more
Can I wipe over socks in wuduʾ? What are the different madhhab opinions and their evidences? The opinions of the four major Sunni madhahib (schools of jurisprudence) regarding wiping over socks (المسح على الجوارب) in wudu, including their evidences and conditions. General Overview “Wiping over the socks” (al-mash ala al-jawrabayn) is a concession (rukhsah) in … Read more
ZAKAH ON PROPERTY AND RENTAL INCOME Q: Do I pay zakah on my house or personal car?A: No, if they are for personal use, no zakah is due. Q: What if I’m in real estate and buying/selling houses as business?A: Yes, zakah is due: Q: What about a rental property?A: You pay zakah only on … Read more
TRANSFERRING ZAKAH TO ANOTHER COUNTRY Q: Can I transfer zakah to another country, like back home overseas?A: There is a difference of opinion: Example:Places suffering major crises may be more deserving in urgent times, even if the donor resides in Canada or elsewhere. Allah knows best
Can someone in debt receive zakah? WHO QUALIFIES AS AL-GHARIM (THE DEBTOR) Q: Can someone in debt receive zakah?A: Yes, but not all debt qualifies.A person in debt (al-gharim) is eligible only if: Example:Someone says, “I owe $100,000,” but owns a company worth $600,000.→ He is not considered a true debtor (al-gharim).Someone who went bankrupt … Read more
Can I pay zakah to my parents or children? Q: Can I pay zakah to my parents or children?A: No. It is not permissible to pay zakah to: These relationships involve financial responsibility, so zakah is not valid between them. Wallahu Alam
Q: If I lent money to a businessman and I’m confident he’ll repay me, do I owe zakah on it?A: Yes. Add the amount to your own wealth and pay zakah on the total. Example: If you lent $10,000 and have $90,000 in your own wealth, you pay zakah on $100,000. Q: What if the … Read more
ZAKAH ON THE WEALTH OF A PERSON WHO IS NOT OF SOUND MIND Q: What if someone is mentally incapacitated but owns wealth—does zakah apply?A: Yes, zakah still applies to his wealth. Wallahu Alam
ZAKAH ON LAND Q: I own land intended for business but haven’t sold it in years. Do I owe zakah?A: Yes, you do: This is the opinion of the majority of scholars, though the Maliki school holds a different view. Q: What if the land is for business and I can’t afford yearly zakah due … Read more
ZAKAH ON MERCHANDISE & STORES Q: Do I pay zakah on merchandise in my store even if I haven’t made any profit yet?A: Yes. Even if you haven’t earned revenue, if the merchandise remains for a full year, you are required to: This applies to grocery stores, gas stations, and any business holding salable inventory. … Read more
ZAKAH ON BEHALF OF PARENTS Q: Can I pay zakah on behalf of my father if he refuses to do it himself?A: Only with your father’s permission. Zakah is an act of worship and requires intention. There is a scholarly consensus on this. Q: What if I know how much zakah my father owes and … Read more
What if I voluntarily gave part of my inheritance or money to another heir? Once the money is transferred as a gift, the recipient is now responsible for including it in their zakah calculation. Wallahu Alam
Zakah on lent money Q: Do I have to pay zakah on money I lent to someone else?A: It depends on the financial status of the borrower: Scenario: The borrower is wealthy and capable of repaying Example:If you lent $20,000 and you have $1,000,000 in your account: Scenario: The borrower is struggling or refuses to … Read more
How to calculate zakah on Inheritance Q: How do heirs calculate zakah on inheritance?A: Each heir must: Example:If a person has $70,000 in personal wealth and their share of inheritance is $20,000, they will: Q: What if the inheritance hasn’t been distributed yet?A: If the inheritance remains undivided for a full year, then zakah is … Read more
Zakah on Inherited wealth Q: Does zakah apply to inherited wealth or wealth that has reached the nisab and a full year has passed?A: Yes, zakah is due on inherited wealth as long as it: Wallahu Alam
Zakah on RRSP (Registered Retirement Savings Plan) Q1: Do I have to pay zakah on my RRSP or other savings plans like educational savings?A1: Yes, you have to pay zakah if: Q2: But what if I can only access my RRSP funds after many years (like 20–25 years)?A2: If you don’t have full access, zakah … Read more
Zakah on Inheritance Q: Does zakah apply to inheritance money? A: Yes, zakah applies to inheritance money. Q: How is zakah calculated on inheritance? A: Each heir calculates their share of the inheritance and adds it to their own wealth. Q: What if I haven’t received my share yet, but it’s confirmed? A: If the … Read more