Question:What is the ruling on working in the Human Resources (HR) department of a conventional bank? Answer: Alhamdulillah, wassalatu wassalamu ‘ala rasulillah, Riba (usury/interest) is categorically forbidden in Islam, by Qur’an, Sunnah, and ijma‘. The Prophet ﷺ cursed the one who consumes riba, the one who pays it, the one who records it, and those … Read more
Alhamudlilah wasalatu was-Salam ‘ala rasulillah, QuestionIs vanilla extract halal if it contains alcohol? AnswerVanilla extract is usually made by soaking vanilla beans in a solution that includes ethyl alcohol as a solvent and preservative. The question is whether the presence of alcohol makes it haram. Final Ruling: And Allah knows best.
QuestionI lent someone some money. I paid $1000 Canadian Dollars through an app, and he received about 190,000 Pakistani Rupees. Now, he wants to pay me back and I’m in Pakistan, so he will pay me in Rupees. But the value in Rupees changed, and now it’s around 205,000 Rupees to $1000. My question is: … Read more
QuestionWhat is the ruling on paying zakat on student loans? For example, let’s say I pay zakat every Ramadan. So in 2026, I would pay it in the last 10 days of Ramadan in March. In September of 2025 the government gives me $10,000. I use it to pay my tuition for the first semester, … Read more
Question I sent an email to Tim Hortons seeking clarification about the use of ethyl alcohol (ethanol) in their Iced Capp. The following is the reply I got from them: “Thank you for contacting Tim Hortons! Many of our products contain flavour ingredients, which may utilize ethyl alcohol as a flavour carrier. Please note that … Read more
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
The rulings of day trading, short selling, options and gold trading. Praise be to Allah. 1. Day Trading (Cash Equities) 2. Day Trading with Margin 3. Short Selling 4. Options 5. Gold Trading Forms in the West: And Allah knows best.
Ruling on Men Wearing Watches with Gold
Question:Can we use pool water for purification (Ghusl or Wudu)? What if there is solid impurity in the water? Answer:Yes, pool water may be used for purification, whether for Ghusl or Wudu, as long as the water remains in its original state — pure and cleansing. The presence of chlorine or other treatments does not … Read more
Question:Do real and fake gold jewelry have the same ruling for men in Islam? Answer:Wearing real gold jewelry is strictly prohibited for Muslim men. The Prophet ﷺ said: “Gold and silk have been permitted for the females of my Ummah and forbidden for the males.” — Sunan al-Tirmidhi, 1720; Abu Dawud, 4057 This prohibition applies … Read more
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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 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? 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
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
Question:A dog licked my clothes—can I pray in these garments, or should I change them? Answer:Bismillahir Rahmanir Rahim First: The Hadith on Washing VesselsThe most cited evidence on this issue is the hadith of the Prophet ﷺ: “The purification of the vessel of one of you if a dog licks it is to wash it … 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