When Does Gelatin or Keratin Become Halal?

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?

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

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

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

 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

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)

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

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?

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 … Read more

Zakah on property and rental income

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

📘 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)

🏡 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