Am I Allowed to Cremate My Non-Muslim Mother if She Requested It?

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

What Are the Rulings on Women Attending Visitations, Funerals, and Burials?

What Are the Rulings on Women Attending Visitations, Funerals, and Burials? QuestionCan you please provide the rulings on women attending visitation, funerals, and burials? AnswerAlhamdulillah, wassalatu wassalamu ala rasulillah, wa ala alihi wa sahbihi ajmain. This issue requires distinguishing carefully between visiting the deceased, attending the funeral prayer, and accompanying the burial, while reconciling the … Read more

Is It Sinful to Look at Women Who Are Not Dressed in Jilbab or Khimar?

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

What Is the Ruling on Shaking Hands with the Opposite Gender (Non-Mahram)?

What Is the Ruling on Shaking Hands with the Opposite Gender (Non-Mahram)? QuestionWhat is the ruling on shaking hands with the opposite gender (non-mahram)? AnswerAlhamdulillah, wassalatu wassalamu ala rasulillah, wa ala alihi wa sahbihi ajmain. 1. The Shar‘i Context Islam seeks to preserve modesty and prevent fitnah. For this reason, Sharia regulates physical interaction between … Read more

Is the Maternal Uncle a Valid Wali if the Father Is Absent or Estranged?

Is the Maternal Uncle a Valid Wali if the Father Is Absent or Estranged? QuestionA woman got married without the presence of her father because they did not have a relationship growing up, but her mother’s brother was there. Is the maternal uncle sufficient as a wali? AnswerAlhamdulillah, wassalatu wassalamu ala rasulillah, wa ala alihi … Read more

Is Reading Surah Al-Fatiha During an Engagement (Khutbah) Considered Bid‘ah?

Is Reading Surah Al-Fatiha During an Engagement (Khutbah) Considered Bid‘ah? QuestionIs reading Surah Al-Fatiha during your engagement (khutbah) bid‘ah? Many families do this, and the day of the engagement is often called “Fatiha.” AnswerAlhamdulillah, wassalatu wassalamu ala rasulillah, wa ala alihi wa sahbihi ajma‘in. The recitation of Surah Al-Fatiha is among the greatest acts of … Read more

Is It Permissible to Temporarily Block One’s Mother for Mental Relief?

Is It Permissible to Temporarily Block One’s Mother for Mental Relief? QuestionI have moved out from my house some months ago. Since then, my mother has called me multiple times a day. Her talks are unpleasant, she nags, complains, and belittles me. Is it permissible to block her for a few days for my own … Read more

Is It Permissible to Take a Conventional Mortgage in Cases of Severe Hardship?

Is It Permissible to Take a Conventional Mortgage in Cases of Severe Hardship? Questionبسم الله الرحمن الرحيمAs-salamu alaykum wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuh, I have always tried to avoid interest and refused to apply for a conventional mortgage, as riba is prohibited in Islam. I applied for an Islamic mortgage, but I was only approved for … Read more

Gender Interaction and Separation in Islam

Gender Interaction and Separation in Islam QuestionSalam Imam, to what extent should men and women separate in Islam? Jazakallahu khairan. AnswerAlhamdulillah, wassalatu wassalamu ala rasulillah, wa ala alihi wa sahbihi ajmain. 1) The Principle of Modesty and Interaction Islam recognizes natural interaction between men and women in society — for trade, learning, family, and communal … Read more

Ruling on Celebrating Birthdays in Islam

Ruling on Celebrating Birthdays in Islam QuestionIs it allowed to celebrate your birthdays in Islam? And how did the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ mark his own birthday? AnswerAlhamdulillah, wassalatu wassalamu ala rasulillah, wa ala alihi wa sahbihi ajmain. 1) Did the Prophet ﷺ Mark His Birthday? The Prophet ﷺ did not celebrate his birthday through yearly … Read more

Are my hardships a consequence of how I treated my father in the past?

Question Assalamu ‘alaykum wa rahmatullah, When I was growing up, I had a poor relationship with my father. He was not financially well off, and my mother, who was better off, carried most of the household expenses. I used to feel he was stingy and didn’t like to spend, and because of that I developed … Read more

Can I sacrifice one sheep instead of two for a newborn boy?

QuestionAllah has blessed me with a newborn son. I know that the Sunnah for the ‘aqiqah is to sacrifice two sheep for a boy. Due to my current financial situation, I cannot afford two, and even one sheep is difficult. AnswerAlhamdulillah, wassalatu wassalamu ala rasulillah, wa ala alihi wa sahbihi ajmain. 1. Number of Animals … Read more

Is hijab mandatory? What is the evidence?

Question A lot of Muslim girls say that the Qur’an does not mention covering the head directly. They quote the verses about drawing the veil over the bosoms and use this as an argument that covering the head (hijab) is not mandatory. Please give advice with Qur’an and Hadith. Answer 1. Qur’an Evidence Together, these … Read more

Is reverse mortgage (home equity release) permitted for Muslim homeowners to fund retirement needs?

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

Is male birth control halal?

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

Can a Muslim marry someone who does not pray?

Question: Can a Muslim marry someone who does not pray? 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. Ṣalāh is the most important pillar of Islām after the testimony of faith. Abandoning it is among the … Read more

What is the ruling on secret or ‘urfi marriages without a guardian (walī)?

Question: What is the ruling on secret or ‘urfi marriages without a guardian (walī)? 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. The validity of a marriage contract in Sharīʿah is based on certain conditions, among … Read more