Are Unwanted Bad Thoughts Sinful if a Person Does Not Act on Them? How Does Islam Distinguish Between Thoughts, Intentions, and Accountability? QuestionIf a person keeps getting unwanted bad thoughts again and again, but does not speak or act on them and actively tries to resist them, are they sinful for those thoughts?How do scholars … Read more
Does Bowing or Bending Near Decorative Patterns in a Non-Muslim Home Constitute Shirk? QuestionI am a Muslim minor living with my mushrik parents. In the kitchen there are tiles with quatrefoil patterns, which I know are sometimes used in Christianity to imitate crosses or other religious symbols. I cannot function normally in that kitchen because … Read more
Rulings on Common Legal Practice Issues: Statutory Interest, Damages Beyond Actual Loss, and Contracts Containing Riba QuestionSalam Sheikhna, I am a practicing lawyer and would like Islamic guidance on several issues that commonly arise in legal practice. Question 1: Pre Judgment and Post Judgment InterestIs a Muslim lawyer Islamically accountable for requesting and enforcing pre … Read more
Is a Medically Induced Coma Permissible as an Alternative to Medical Assistance in Dying (MAID)? QuestionAs-salamu alaykum warahmatullahi wabarakatuh, Medical assistance in dying (MAID) is haram in Islam, whether receiving it or aiding in it as doctors, nurses, or pharmacists. Is it permissible for someone to be placed into a medically induced coma instead of … Read more
Is It Permissible to Pray on Decorated Prayer Mats, and Are Certain Designs Discouraged? QuestionAsalaamualaykum, Is it permissible to have decorated prayer mats?If it is permissible, can the decorations be more than simple symmetrical shapes, such as plants or objects?If objects or plants are allowed, do they have to be Islamic, such as items mentioned … Read more
Did I Commit Shirk by Praying While Experiencing a Visual Hallucination, and Can I Pray in the Same Place Again? QuestionI suffer from medically diagnosed visual hallucinations and am under a doctor’s care and medication. One evening, while standing for prayer, I experienced a persistent visual hallucination of a “shirk object” at the top of … Read more
Must I Leave a School After Repenting From Shirk Because a Cross Is Present There? QuestionAssalamu alaykum. I am a Muslim in high school. Out of ignorance, I chose a Christianity class instead of ethics, and in that class I committed shirk. The classroom also had a large cross. I regretted it, made sincere tawbah, … Read more
Is Salah Valid When a Person Sees Uncontrollable Intrusive Images of Shirk, and What Should She Do? QuestionA person is seeing intrusive images related to shirk (churches, statues, symbols). Doctors say these are hallucinations and she cannot control them. She is taking medication, but it is not working well. It is very hard for her … Read more
Am I Sinful for Intrusive Doubts and Distractions After Mocking Others, and How Do I Return My Heart to Allah? QuestionI used to follow a lot of atheists and Christians and listen to their talk about Islam. I used to mock their ignorance and did not care. Now these words come to my mind automatically … Read more
What Is the Ruling on Medical, Non-Surgical Cosmetic Procedures Such as Botox, Fillers, and Laser Treatments? QuestionSalam Imam, What is the permissibility of medical, non-surgical cosmetic procedures, such as laser tightening, RF microneedling, HA fillers, and botox? At what point do we draw the line between something like makeup and reconstructive surgery in the pursuit … Read more
Is It Permissible to Provide Marine Technical Services as a Contractor to Insurance Companies? QuestionAssalamualaikum dear sheikh. I have a small marine consulting business where insurance clients approach me to request technical inspections and advice on ships, boats, and other marine structures. I do not get involved in approving or denying claims, nor do I … Read more
Is It Sinful to Look at Women Who Are Not Dressed in Jilbab or Khimar? QuestionAhlan ya sheikh. Is it sinful to look at women who are not dressed in jilbab or khimar, such as women in Western dress, news presenters, non Muslim friends or neighbors, or even Muslim women who do not cover their … Read more
What Is the Ruling on Standing for the National Anthem? QuestionWhat is the ruling on standing for the national anthem? AnswerAlhamdulillah, wassalatu wassalamu ala rasulillah, wa ala alihi wa sahbihi ajmain. This issue requires careful distinction between respectful civic custom and religious veneration, as well as between outward conduct and inner intention, especially for Muslims … Read more
Is It Permissible to Fast Continuously, Especially in Winter, and With Mixed Intentions? QuestionSalam Imam, Is it permissible to fast continuously, especially in the winter months, where fasting is simply a matter of having a late lunch? I have heard mixed opinions on this, with some saying one should not exceed the fast of Dawud … Read more
is Watching Movies Always Haram? How Do We Understand Media, Gazes, and Modern Reality? QuestionSalaam alaikum warahmatullah wabarakaatu. I heard from a sheikh that watching all movies is haram, due to things like music, seeing the opposite gender, free mixing, and immoral messages. I have some doubts and would appreciate clarification, because I have not … 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 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 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
Acting Without a Fatwa When Faced With Urgent Dilemmas QuestionSalam Imam, what should we do when we are faced with a dilemma which requires a fatwa, but we cannot receive one in a timely manner? For example, if I didn’t know whether something was pure or impure, and the time of prayer is coming. What … Read more
Zakat on Land Purchased for Investment or Personal Use: How Intent Affects Zakat Obligation Question Salaam alaikum warahmatuLlah wabarakaatu. I would like to know how to pay zakah in this case : he bought 2 units of land back home initially for investment but he hasn’t decided if he will build them as a family … 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