Fatawa Article

Combining and Shortening the Prayers While Traveling

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

Musharakah: Islamic Partnership Contracts and Their Modern Applications

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

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?

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

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?

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 in Islam to draw or illustrate living creatures?

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 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 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?

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

Respecting the Madhahib

 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

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

Rules During Revocable Divorce (‘Iddah Period)

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

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

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

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)

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 – 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., six months) … 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 hibah. … Read more