Does Bowing or Bending Near Decorative Patterns in a Non-Muslim Home Constitute Shirk? QuestionI am a Muslim minor living with my mushrik parents. In the kitchen there are tiles with quatrefoil patterns, which I know are sometimes used in Christianity to imitate crosses or other religious symbols. I cannot function normally in that kitchen because … Read more
Rulings on Common Legal Practice Issues: Statutory Interest, Damages Beyond Actual Loss, and Contracts Containing Riba QuestionSalam Sheikhna, I am a practicing lawyer and would like Islamic guidance on several issues that commonly arise in legal practice. Question 1: Pre Judgment and Post Judgment InterestIs a Muslim lawyer Islamically accountable for requesting and enforcing pre … Read more
Is It Permissible for a Sick Person to Pray Salah After Its Time Has Passed Due to Medical Circumstances? QuestionAssalamu alaikom warahmatallahi wabarakatuhu sheikh, Is it permissible for a sick person to pray salah after its time has passed due to medical circumstances? For example, if someone is rushed to the hospital in an ambulance … Read more
Is It Permissible for a Student to Intern at a Bank in a Cybersecurity or IT Role Despite Riba? QuestionAssalamu alaykum, Is it permissible for a student to work in a bank for an internship in a cybersecurity or IT role, knowing that banks deal with riba? Due to the poor job market, there are … Read more
Can I Feed My Pets Bacon, and What About Handling or Distributing Pork in Other Contexts? QuestionSalam Imam Mahmoud. I was at a hotel with my two cats. During breakfast I noticed they were serving bacon. I considered taking some bacon slices to my room to feed my cats. Is it permissible to handle, obtain, … Read more
How Should a Person Deal with Constant Doubts (Waswas) About Wudu and Salah After Completing Them? QuestionSalaam alaikum warahmatuLlah wabarakaatu, I frequently forget and doubt myself after completing acts of worship. This happens only in worship, not daily life. For example, after finishing wudu and wearing socks, I later doubt whether I wiped over them … Read more
Is the Nisab for Zakah in Canada Based on Gold Only, and Why Is 21K Gold Used? QuestionSalam Imam, is the nisab for zakah based on gold and not silver today, since cash is no longer backed by silver? And is the correct gold standard 21K gold rather than 24K or 14K? How is this … Read more
Is Subway BBQ Sauce Halal If It Contains Bourbon Whiskey as a Flavor That Is Cooked Off? QuestionSubway changed their BBQ sauce ingredients and it lists “bourbon whisky.” Is it halal, given that it is added for flavor and is usually cooked away and evaporated, so that nothing remains? AnswerAlhamdulillah, wassalatu wassalamu ala rasulillah, wa … Read more
Is It Permissible to Continue Wearing a Retainer After Cosmetic Orthodontic Treatment? QuestionAssalamu alaykoum, I had a gap between my two front teeth and some crooked lower teeth. Dentists told me braces or Invisalign were not medically necessary but optional. I chose to proceed to correct the gap and crookedness. Later, I learned that changing … Read more
Can Tayammum Replace Wudu for Someone with Severe Sensory Distress, and What Parts of Wudu Are Obligatory? QuestionAssalamu alaikum, I live with sometimes severe sensory issues due to autism. These issues can make washing extremely distressing, even something as simple as washing my face. This has affected my ability to perform wudu in particular. Can … Read more
Is a Medically Induced Coma Permissible as an Alternative to Medical Assistance in Dying (MAID)? QuestionAs-salamu alaykum warahmatullahi wabarakatuh, Medical assistance in dying (MAID) is haram in Islam, whether receiving it or aiding in it as doctors, nurses, or pharmacists. Is it permissible for someone to be placed into a medically induced coma instead of … Read more
Am I Allowed to Cremate My Non-Muslim Mother if She Requested It? QuestionI am a Muslim and my mother, who is Christian, wants me to cremate her when she passes away. In Islam we are buried. I want to respect her wishes, but I do not want to commit a sin or displease Allah. Am … Read more
Is It Permissible to Pray on Decorated Prayer Mats, and Are Certain Designs Discouraged? QuestionAsalaamualaykum, Is it permissible to have decorated prayer mats?If it is permissible, can the decorations be more than simple symmetrical shapes, such as plants or objects?If objects or plants are allowed, do they have to be Islamic, such as items mentioned … Read more
Is Fidyah Calculated the Same as Zakat al Fitr if Zakat al Fitr Is 15 Dollars? QuestionAssalamu alaikum shikhna, if zakat al fitr is 15 dollars this Ramadan, can we measure the fidyah based on it as well? AnswerAlhamdulillah, wassalatu wassalamu ala rasulillah, wa ala alihi wa sahbihi ajmain. This issue must be answered with … Read more
Is Zakat Due on a Government Pension Fund That Cannot Be Accessed Until Retirement? QuestionAssalamu alaikum shaikh, I work for the government. A portion is deducted from my monthly salary and contributed to my pension fund, and my employer contributes an equal amount. The total is invested and grows over time. There are three components: … Read more
Is It Permissible to Turn Off Life Support When a Person Is Considered Medically Dead? QuestionAs-salamu alaykum, Is it permissible to turn off the life support system of a person who is thought to be dead, although some organs may still be functioning? AnswerAlhamdulillah, wassalatu wassalamu ala rasulillah, wa ala alihi wa sahbihi ajmain. This … Read more
Is Salah Valid When a Person Sees Uncontrollable Intrusive Images of Shirk, and What Should She Do? QuestionA person is seeing intrusive images related to shirk (churches, statues, symbols). Doctors say these are hallucinations and she cannot control them. She is taking medication, but it is not working well. It is very hard for her … Read more
Is Abortion Permissible in Early Pregnancy Due to Severe Marital Hardship and Emotional Harm? QuestionSalam, I am currently 5 weeks pregnant. I am in a very difficult marriage. Am I allowed to get an abortion? I have only been married for 3.5 months. My husband has changed drastically and has shown possible signs of cheating. … Read more
Is Hajj Permissible and Accepted for Someone Who Has a Mortgage? Questionالسلام عليكم ورحمة الله وبركاته If someone has a mortgage for his or her house, are they still allowed to perform Hajj? Is their Hajj accepted? AnswerAlhamdulillah, wassalatu wassalamu ala rasulillah, wa ala alihi wa sahbihi ajmain. This question requires distinguishing between the obligation … Read more
How Much Should Be Paid for Zakat al Fitr, and Is Giving Money the Sounder Opinion Today? QuestionSalam Imam, How much should I pay for zakat al fitr this Ramadan? Some masajid say 10 dollars, others say 15 dollars. Some also say you cannot give money and must buy rice or food and give it … Read more
How Should One Islamically Deal with Toxic Older Siblings Who Neglect Responsibilities? QuestionSalaam alaikum warahmatullahi wabarakatuh. Can you please provide advice on how to deal with toxic older siblings? I mean older siblings who do not contribute much to household chores or to the care of their young children, and instead spend their time watching … Read more
What Is the Sharia Ruling on Investing in Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs)? QuestionAssalam alaykum Sheikh. Please we need a fatwa stand on the following business related question. Real estate investment trusts (REITs) are companies that own, operate, or finance income producing real estate across a wide range of property sectors. They raise capital by … Read more
What Is the Ruling on Medical, Non-Surgical Cosmetic Procedures Such as Botox, Fillers, and Laser Treatments? QuestionSalam Imam, What is the permissibility of medical, non-surgical cosmetic procedures, such as laser tightening, RF microneedling, HA fillers, and botox? At what point do we draw the line between something like makeup and reconstructive surgery in the pursuit … Read more
Is General Forex Trading Haram, and Does Trading Gold, Silver, or Platinum Change the Ruling? QuestionSalam alaykum. Is general forex trading haram? What if it is used only for buying earth minerals like gold, silver, and platinum? Would it be permissible in this case? Jazakum Allah khair. AnswerAlhamdulillah, wassalatu wassalamu ala rasulillah, wa ala alihi … Read more
What Should a Revert Do with a Deceased Non-Muslim Relative’s Ashes Kept in a Cross? QuestionI am a revert. I have my grandparents’ ashes in a Celtic cross that were hanging in my car. I have now taken them down, but I am not sure what to do with them. Can I keep them stored … Read more
Is It Permissible to Provide Marine Technical Services as a Contractor to Insurance Companies? QuestionAssalamualaikum dear sheikh. I have a small marine consulting business where insurance clients approach me to request technical inspections and advice on ships, boats, and other marine structures. I do not get involved in approving or denying claims, nor do I … Read more
Is It Sinful to Look at Women Who Are Not Dressed in Jilbab or Khimar? QuestionAhlan ya sheikh. Is it sinful to look at women who are not dressed in jilbab or khimar, such as women in Western dress, news presenters, non Muslim friends or neighbors, or even Muslim women who do not cover their … Read more