What Debts Can Be Deducted When Calculating Zakat? Are Credit Cards, Student Loans, and Monthly Payments Deductible? QuestionMy third question is about the deductions around Zakat calculations. I read one of your previous posts but just want to confirm. It is immediate debts that can be deducted from wealth when calculating zakat? I understand using … Read more
Who Is Required to Pay Zakat al Mal? Does Having Less Than the Nisab Mean Zakat Is Not Obligatory? QuestionMy first question is about who qualifies to pay zakat al mal. I am aware that there is the threshold of Nisab that correlates to the price of gold or silver. The current threshold equals around … Read more
Is Gelatin from a Cow That Was Not Slaughtered Islamically Halal? QuestionIs gelatine from Cow, but likely slaughtered in the non-islamic way, halal? AnswerAlhamdulillah, wassalatu wassalamu ala rasulillah, wa ala alihi wa sahbihi ajmain. 1. The Shari Context In Islamic law, the permissibility of meat and animal byproducts depends on whether the animal was slaughtered … Read more
When Traveling Across Time Zones While Fasting, Do You Break the Fast According to the Departure City or the Arrival City? QuestionSalam Wa’laikum. I am travelling next week from Edmonton to Whitehorse and I will be fasting. My flight leaves at 10:30 AM and I will land 2:30 PM local time in Whitehorse, which will … Read more
Is a “Halal Mortgage” Valid If the Contract Clearly Lists Interest and a Standard Amortization Schedule? Question Assalamu Alaikum, I am seeking guidance on a residential financing agreement I am entering into. The provider marketed this as a “Halal” financing option (Tjara), but the commitment documents I received from the processing company (Radius Financial) include … Read more
Is It Permissible for a Muslim to Be the Executor of a Will for Non-Muslim Relatives? Question Is it permissible to be an executor of a will for non-muslim relatives? Answer Alhamdulillah, wassalatu wassalamu ala rasulillah, wa ala alihi wa sahbihi ajmain. 1. The Shari Context Islam permits Muslims to maintain lawful relations with non-Muslim … Read more
Is 15 Degrees More Accurate Than 18 for Calculating Fajr and Isha? Question I have read an article arguing that fixed degree calculations for Fajr and Isha are unreliable and that 15 degrees is a better approximation than 18 degrees. The article claims twilight varies by season, latitude, altitude, and other factors, and therefore recommends … Read more
Is Day Trading Through Online Prop Firms Permissible in Islam? Question Salam alaikum sheikh. I wanted to ask for a ruling regarding day trading through online proprietary trading firms (“prop firms”). Based on your ruling that cash equity trading without margin is permissible, I wanted to ask whether trading through these firms affects the permissibility. … Read more
Is It Permissible to Use Beef Tallow on the Skin If It Is Not Halal-Slaughtered? Question Is it permissible to use beef tallow for the skin?Some beef tallow is not specified as halal slaughtered. Answer Alhamdulillah, wassalatu wassalamu ala rasulillah, wa ala alihi wa sahbihi ajmain. 1. The Shari Context Allah says: “Forbidden to you … Read more
How Can Someone with ADHD Improve Focus in Salah? Question Tips on performing salah with ADHD? Answer Alhamdulillah, wassalatu wassalamu ala rasulillah, wa ala alihi wa sahbihi ajmain. 1. The Shari Context Salah is the greatest physical act of worship in Islam. Allah says: “Establish prayer for My remembrance.”Surat Taha 20:14 And He says: “Successful … Read more
Is It Permissible to Pray Tarawih at Home While Following a Live Stream from the Mosque? Question As s-salāmu ʿalaykum. I would like to ask if it is permissible to pray Tarāwīḥ at home while following the live stream from Al Rashad Mosque. JazakAllahu khayrn Answer Alhamdulillah, wassalatu wassalamu ala rasulillah, wa ala alihi wa … Read more
Dental Practice Rulings: Alcohol Mouthwash, Bone Grafts, Cosmetic Procedures, Zakat, and Wudu Question Is using a dental mouthwash with alcohol allowed? For certain dental surgical procedures, animal products need to be used, like animal bone. Is that allowed? This may be sourced from cows or pigs. Are dental cosmetic procedures allowed in Islam?BotoxDental veneersOrthodontics for … Read more
Dental Procedures in Ramadan: What Breaks the Fast? Question Assalamu Alaikum. The following questions are always presented to dentists from Muslim patients. Does any of the following break someone’s fast during Ramadan?Swallowing some water during a hygiene or dental visit.Swallowing blood after a dental extraction.Getting dental numbing, whether topical or via injection, for mouth ulcers.Using … Read more
Ramadan Questions Related to Fasting and Prayer Question Assalamu Alaikum sheikhI have some questions regarding ramadan Is it permissible to taste the food without swallowing- spit it out afterwards as some say? Is it permissable to read Quran off the phone while on menstrual cycle? I use a nasal spray, does it break my fast? … Read more
Does Wisdom Tooth Removal with Injections Invalidate the Fast in Ramadan? Question Assalamu alaikum sheikh,Next week Monday i am scheduled for a wisdom tooth removal and as you know ramadan is beginning tomorrow so that day will fall on a day of fasting. My question is will i have to break my fast that day … Read more
Which Prayer Time Should Be Followed in a City Without Nearby Mosques During Ramadan? Question Al salam alykum wa rahmat Allah wa barakatuh. In Ramadan it’s important that every muslim has access to accurate prayer times, such that one can observe Suhoor and Iftar properly. My question is: Which prayer time should a muslim follow … Read more
Should I Remove the 2.3 Percent Interest from My RRSP and Then Switch to a Halal Provider? Question So, the RBC, the 2.3 interest reinvested, calculate exactly that amount and those 2.3 interest that they invested before, giving it for charity, and the rest is good. However, we encourage you to switch your RRSPs to … Read more
Can Women Pray Taraweeh in a Separate Neighboring Building with Only Speakers and No Connected Rows? QuestionOur masjid purchased a neighboring church that is on a separate plot of land next to the mosque. It is a completely separate building, there are no rows outside the masjid connecting the two, and there is walking distance … Read more
Is It Permissible to Sell Clothing with Images of Female Celebrities Who Promote Indecency? QuestionI buy and sell various items. I found a Dolly Parton shirt with her picture showing her face, hair, and neck. Since she is a music celebrity and such figures often promote indecency and sinful behavior, is it permissible to sell … Read more
Is It Permissible to Place Shahadah or Qur’anic Verses on Cars, or Hang a Small Qur’an from the Mirror? QuestionSome cars these days have “La ilaha illa Allah Muhammad Rasul Allah” decals or Qur’an verses on the exterior of the vehicle. Is that permissible, considering they will get dirty and have grime on them? Also, … Read more
Is It Permissible to Share Educational Content That Contains Background Music if One Believes Music Is Haram? QuestionI take the opinion that music is haram, but I was wondering if it is considered haram to share a video that contains simple background music if the primary purpose of the video is educational, informative, or beneficial. … Read more
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