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
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
Ruling on Men Wearing Watches with Gold
In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful Praise be to Allah, and may peace and blessings be upon His Messenger. 1. Combining and Shortening the Prayers While Traveling Allah, out of His mercy, has granted the traveler ease in his prayers—by shortening and, at times, combining them. This is clearly established … Read more
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) Musharakah: 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 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? 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
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? 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
Question: Is it permissible 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 when … Read more
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
There is a difference between a halal Murabaha mortgage and a conventional mortgage, both in structure and underlying principles. 1. Fundamental BasisConventional 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 prohibit … Read more
Missing Jumu’ah (Friday) prayer due to work – what’s the ruling? What’s the ruling on work and salat jummah. I asked my work if I am allowed to go there’s no way I will be able to go for salah. Answer: Jumu’ah prayer is an obligation on every adult Muslim man, and all four major … Read more
Respect for the Madhahib 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 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) 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
1. Rules During Revocable Divorce (‘Iddah Period) Q: My husband has divorced me for the second time, but we are still living in the same house with our children. What are the limitations in this situation? Are there things we must refrain from? A:If a husband divorces his wife for the first or second time, … Read more
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 wuduʾ? What are the different madhhab opinions and their evidences? The opinions of the four major Sunni madhahib (schools of jurisprudence) regarding wiping over socks (المسح على الجوارب) in wudu, including their evidences and conditions. General Overview “Wiping over the socks” (al-mash ala al-jawrabayn) is a concession (rukhsah) in … Read more
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
Zakah on RRSP (Registered Retirement Savings Plan) Q1: Do I have to pay zakah on my RRSP or other savings plans like educational savings?A1: Yes, you have to pay zakah if: Q2: But what if I can only access my RRSP funds after many years (like 20–25 years)?A2: If you don’t have full access, zakah … Read more
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., six months) … Read more
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 hibah. … Read more