Fatawa Article

Which Opinion Should a Layman Follow?

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QuestionSalam Imam, when presented with many opinions, what opinion should we follow? Is it necessary to choose and stick to a madhhab? What if a person wants to take the easiest ruling from each issue? And how should we, as laymen, decide? JazakAllahu khayran. AnswerAlhamdulillah, wassalatu wassalamu ala rasulillah, wa ala alihi wa sahbihi ajmain. … Read more

Can I read quran during jummah if I don’t understand the khutbah?

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QuestionIs it permissible for a Muslim who does not understand the language of the khutbah to engage in Qur’an recitation, dhikr, or du‘a silently during the Friday sermon? AnswerAlhamdulillah, wassalatu wassalamu ala rasulillah, wa ala alihi wa sahbihi ajmain. Evidence from Qur’an and Sunnah – The Asl The Prophet ﷺ said: “If you say to … Read more

Is working as a salesman at a car dealership is haram?

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QuestionSalam, I would like to know if working as a salesman at a car dealership is haram? Please let me know. Jazakallahu khayran. AnswerAlhamdulillah, wassalatu wassalamu ‘ala rasoolillah, wa ‘ala alihi wa sahbihi ajma‘in. The ruling depends on the type of sales and financing that the dealership uses. Islamic jurisprudence distinguishes between permissible trade and … Read more

Is hijab mandatory? What is the evidence?

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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

Mushārakah: Islamic Partnership Contracts and Their Modern Applications

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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

Importance of Treating Non-Muslims with Respect in Islam

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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?

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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

Duff in Islam: Occasions, Gender & Nasheeds

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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

When Does Gelatin or Keratin Become Halal?

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When Does Gelatin or Keratin Become Halal? The halal status of gelatin is one of the most talked-about issues in Islamic dietary law. At the heart of the discussion is a key concept that has been debated by scholars for centuries. To understand when – or if – gelatin becomes halal, we need to explore … Read more

Is it permissible (ḥalāl) in Islam to draw or illustrate living creatures?

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Question: Is it permissible (ḥalāl) in Islam to draw or illustrate living creatures? Answer: This question has been discussed by scholars for centuries, and it’s important to understand the context of the Islamic rulings related to images. Islam strongly discourages anything that could lead to idol worship, especially during the time of the Prophet ﷺ … Read more

Question about student loans

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Question Assalam Alaikum I came to Canada about 6 weeks ago. Iam a doctor and iam planning to get a licence to practice medicine here. The pathway to licensure will take about 6 months and involves tests and assessment process.I found an association that offers low interest career loans to newcomers to help them through. … Read more

Halal mortgage versus conventional mortgage

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There is a difference between a halal Murabaha mortgage and a conventional mortgage, both in structure and underlying principles. 1. Fundamental Basis Conventional Mortgage: Involves a loan with interest (riba). The bank lends you money to buy a house, and you repay it with interest over time. Murabaha Mortgage: Based on Islamic finance principles that … Read more

Respecting the Madhāhib

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 Respect for the Madhāhib 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

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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)

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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

General Principles of Combining Salah

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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 wudūʾ? What are the different madhhab opinions and their evidences?

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The opinions of the four major Sunni madhāhib (schools of jurisprudence) regarding wiping over socks (المسح على الجوارب) in wudu, including their evidences and conditions. General Overview “Wiping over the socks” (al-masḥ ʿala al-jawrabayn) is a concession (rukhṣah) in wudū’, where instead of washing the feet, one may wipe over a covering worn on the … Read more

Zakah on property and rental income

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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

Q & A – Islamic Finance

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📘 Q&A Collection: Student Loans, Riba, Mortgages & Halal Finance Dr. Mahmoud Omar Organized by Topic for Clarity 🎓 STUDENT LOANS & FINANCIAL AID 1. Q: Can a student take a loan just to access attached grants, if they already have enough money? A: Yes, if the loan is interest-free for a set period (e.g., … Read more

Gifting & Ownership (Hibah)

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🏡 1. Q: What is the Islamic concept of hibah (gifting), and how should it be practiced? A: Hibah is giving something to someone without expecting anything in return. It is done sincerely for the sake of Allah. If a person gives a house, money, or furniture and intends no repayment, then it’s a valid … Read more