How Should Ghusl Be Done in Extreme Cold and Limited Facilities? QuestionSalam Imam Mahmoud, I live in a rural place with little access to heat or hot water. Water must be heated slowly, temperatures are very cold around fajr, and the restrooms are separate from the living quarters. AnswerAlhamdulillah, wassalatu wassalamu ala rasulillah, wa ala … Read more
When Is It Permissible to Exhume a Grave to Correct a Burial or Prevent Misuse? QuestionIf a person was buried incorrectly, such as being laid on their left side, or if their grave later becomes a place of worship, can or should the grave be exhumed to correct or conceal the burial? Under what other … Read more
Where Does the Sunnah of Entering the Masjid Begin? QuestionIf we follow the Sunnah of entering the masjid with the right foot and leaving with the left, where exactly does the masjid begin? Is it the property line, the building, or the musalla? AnswerAlhamdulillah, wassalatu wassalamu ala rasulillah, wa ala alihi wa sahbihi ajmain. In … Read more
What Is Meant by the Prophet’s Statement: “The Earnings of the Cupper Are Khabith”? Is It Makruh or Haram? QuestionThe Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:“The earnings of the cupper are khabith.”(Reported by Muslim, 1568) What does the word khabith mean here? Does it indicate prohibition, or is it merely dislike? AnswerAlhamdulillah, wassalatu wassalamu ala rasulillah, … Read more
Does the Awrah From the Navel to the Knees Include the Back of the Body as Well? QuestionSince the awrah is from the bellybutton to the knees, does that apply to the back side of the body as well? In other words, does the awrah also include from around the middle of the back until … Read more
Is It Permissible to Keep Former Religious Trinkets as Mementos After Accepting Islam? QuestionSalam Imam Mahmoud, Can a person keep formerly religious trinkets from their past life as mementos? For example, if a person was a Christian, can they still keep their rosaries and Bible after accepting Islam if they have sentimental value? Or if … Read more
Is It Permissible to Keep, Use, or Donate Profits from a Shariah-Screened Investment ETF? QuestionSalaam alaikum warahmatullah wabarakaatu. I invested some money into an investment that claims to be halal and that it “complies with Shariah law and excludes companies deriving more than 5% of their income from alcohol, tobacco, pork-related products, weapons, conventional banking … Read more
Is It Valid to Return Stolen Money by Buying Property for the Father Without Telling Him the Truth? QuestionSalaam alaikum warahmatuLlah wabarakaatu.She stole from her father without his knowledge. Many years after, she decided to pay him back an estimated amount of the money she stole and used it to buy some land for him. … Read more
Is Smoking a Major Sin or a Minor Sin in Islam? QuestionAs-salamu alaykum warahmatullahi wabarakatuh.Is smoking a major or minor sin?Jazak Allahu khayran. AnswerAlhamdulillah, wassalatu wassalamu ala rasulillah, wa ala alihi wa sahbihi ajmain. 1. The Shar‘i Context Smoking was not present in early Islamic history, so the ruling is derived from general Qur’anic and … Read more
Is a Contractor Required to Credit the Fair Market Value of a Deleted Item, or Only What He Actually Budgeted? QuestionSalam. A person submits a quote for a construction project based on a set of drawings. The drawings include item X. Later the client decides to cancel item X from the scope. He asks for … Read more
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 It Permissible to Read Fantasy or Sci-Fi Books That Contain Fake Gods or Imaginary Religions? QuestionAs-salamu alaykum,Many popular fantasy and sci-fi books contain fake gods, human worship, or false religious systems. If someone reads these stories knowing they are fictional and does not believe in any of it, is that allowed? Or should such … Read more
Is A Camp Worker Sinful for Carrying and Storing Pork and Non-Halal Meat? QuestionWorking as a labour in a camp job in Alberta, two to three days a week food is brought by truck for the camp. The food contains vegetables, meat, and all kinds of food. Pork meat is also part of the food … Read more
Does the Hadith About Embryonic Stages Contradict Modern Science? When Is the Soul Actually Breathed into the Fetus? QuestionCan you please clarify something for me? I feel confused because it seems like there is a contradiction between an authentic hadith and modern science. The hadith says the baby goes through stages for 40 days, then … Read more
Is Food Still Halal if It Is Prepared in a Place Where Non-Islamic Chants Are Heard? QuestionAssalamu alaikum. I buy pizza from a place because it is halal. It has changed owners but they said it is halal and they have a halal certificate on the wall. The problem is that after ordering and paying, … Read more
What Is the Ruling on Interest Earned from Everyday Savings Accounts in Banks Like TD? QuestionWhat is the ruling on interest from Everyday Savings Accounts with banks such as TD?I recently opened a savings account to keep my money organized, but I do not want to deposit anything until I know the ruling. The bank … Read more
Is It Permissible to Do Yoga If the Intention Is Only Exercise? QuestionIs it permissible to do yoga if you only have the intention for the workout? AnswerAlhamdulillah, wassalatu wassalamu ala rasulillah, wa ala alihi wa sahbihi ajmain. 1. The Shar‘i Context The word “yoga” today refers to two very different things: Islam strictly forbids … Read more
What Is the Ruling on Becoming a Police Officer in Canada? QuestionWhat’s the ruling on becoming a police officer in Canada? AnswerAlhamdulillah, wassalatu wassalamu ala rasulillah, wa ala alihi wa sahbihi ajmain. 1. The Shar‘i Context Muslims living as minorities in non-Muslim countries face unique circumstances. Their work, contribution, and participation in public institutions are … Read more
What Should a Person Do if They Are Praying and Hear the Adhan of the Next Prayer? QuestionIf I’m praying and I hear the adhan of the next prayer, what should I do? For example, I’m praying dhuhr late and I hear the adhan of asr while I’m praying. AnswerAlhamdulillah, wassalatu wassalamu ala rasulillah, wa … Read more
Is It Permissible to Shave, Trim, or Shorten the Beard in Islam? QuestionWhat is the rule for shaving, trimming, or shortening the beard? I know that in the Shafii school it is different from the other three madhhabs. Please mention the opinions and their daleel. AnswerAlhamdulillah, wassalatu wassalamu ala rasulillah, wa ala alihi wa sahbihi … Read more
Question: We all know growing a beard is the way of the prophet and the Sahaba. However I’ve heard people saying that there’s a Shafii opinion that sates “shaving the beard completely is only makruh, not haram” is this a valid opinion? Jazakallah khair Answer: Salām ʿAlaykum wa Raḥmatullāhi wa Barakātuh, Jazākum Allāhu khayran for … Read more
Is Red Wine Vinaigrette Halal to Consume? QuestionI had a question regarding food. Is it permissible to consume red wine vinaigrette? I ordered a vegetarian sub, and it included this sauce, which was listed as vegetarian. Would this be allowed? AnswerAlhamdulillah, wassalatu wassalamu ala rasulillah, wa ala alihi wa sahbihi ajmain. 1. The Shar‘i Basis … Read more
Missed or Unpaid Zakah in Previous Years Q: We didn’t know about zakah and haven’t paid it for 10 years. What should we do? A: If someone didn’t pay zakah due to lack of knowledge for the past 10 or even 20 years, they still have to pay it. Q: Even after 20 years? A: … Read more
Zakah on RRSP & Registered Educational Plans Q: Do we have to pay zakah on a registered educational plan or RRSP? A: Yes, zakah is due if the amount reaches the nisab (around $11,000 CAD) and has been held for a full year, as long as you have access to it. Q: What if I … Read more
Q: What is the meaning of “al-umur bimaqasidiha” and how does it affect rulings? A: It means: “Matters are judged by their intentions.”This principle allows scholars to consider: Does “maqasid” mean intention? Not exactly. So in Arabic: But in usul al-fiqh (Islamic legal theory), this maxim often overlaps with the idea that intention determines the legal ruling of an action — which is … 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