General Fiqhi Issues (Fatwa Session)

Dear Brothers/Sisters,

Thank you very much for joining us in this Live Fatwa session. We would like also to thank our guest, Dr. Muhammad Salama, for answering the questions directed to him. You will find the answers of your questions below.

Tuesday, Jun. 09, 2020 | 19:00 - 21:00 GMT

Session is over.

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Q:

I have a trick of Google ads, I can promote my youtube channel or website for free (Google give some credit threshold to use, then you have to pay how much you use, but I add fake card and don’t pay them) but I don’t earn with those visitors I just sent traffic to my youtube video (no ads) is this haram (Google is very big company and this is nothing for them.)

A:

In the Name of Allah, the All-Merciful, the Mercy-Giving.

All praise is due to Allah. Peace and blessings be upon His Prophet Muhammad.

As far as I understand Google offers this service for money and you cheat to take the service without paying. This cheating is haram even if you do not earn money in return, because are thus breaking the agreement between you and the company to pay for this service. Cheating a very rich person is as haram as cheating a poor one.

Allah knows best.


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Q:

If you are late for Zhuhr (but before Asr) do you pray the 4 rakats before or after zhuhr and if its after that means you prayer 6 rakats yes?

A:

In the Name of Allah, the All-Merciful, the Mercy-Giving.

All praise is due to Allah. Peace and blessings be upon His Prophet Muhammad.

If there is no enough time before AsrPrayer to perform these four supererogatory rak`ahs, then one has to perform the obligatory Zhuhr Prayer first before time is over. Then one may make up missed regular, supererogatory prayers (rawatib), according to the most preponderant opinion among Muslim jurists.

Aishah (Mother of the Believers) reports that if the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) missed the [supererogatory] four rak`ahs before Zhuhr Prayer, he would perform them after that (Al-Tirmidhi).

Yes, in this case, adding these four rak`ahs to the post-Zhuhr regular, supererogatory two rak`ahs makes the total six rak`ahs.   

Allah knows best.


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Q:

Salamu alaykum, i hope this meets you in the best of health and imaan?

I have been battling with nightmares ever since i was a kid. I usually cry in my sleep, waking up screaming snd yelling. As I’m growing older these dreams are becoming sexual and it’s very disturbing. Sometimes i wake up feeling like someone has touched me or whatever is happening in my dream is actually happening in reality Subhanallah. It really scares me as I’m not yet married and i have heard of several cases where jinns can be with unmarried girls in their dreams. I take my morning and evening duas very seriously and this is bothering me alot. I wake up feeling sad and dirty plus this didn’t happen during Ramadan. During Ramadan i sleep like a baby and wake up happy.

A:

Wa alaykum assalam wa rahmatullah wa barakatuh.

In the Name of Allah, the All-Merciful, the Mercy-Giving.

All praise is due to Allah. Peace and blessings be upon His Prophet Muhammad.

You need not feel bad for these dreams, for they are beyond your control.

You are strongly recommended to observe sleeping adhkar (invocations); particularly:

1- Chapters 112, 113 and 114 of the Quran (you should cup your hands together, blow into them, read these chapters and then wipe with your hands as much of your body as you can starting with your head and face) [Al-Bukhari and Muslim],

2- Verse number 2:255 (the verse of the Divine Seat), the reading of which guarantees that no Satan will approach you until you wake up [Al-Bukhari], and

3- Verses number 2:285-286, for they are sufficient [protection] for whoever reads them at night [Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

May Allah protect and help you.

Allah knows best.


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Q:

I wanted to know if using the English word idolise counts as a form of shirk.

In the English language the word idolise has two meanings. One is worship and the other is admire and see as a role model. I want to know that if somone says they idolise someone but not as a form of whorship but as a role model or someone they admire would they have commited shirk? Thank you

A:

In the Name of Allah, the All-Merciful, the Mercy-Giving.

All praise is due to Allah. Peace and blessings be upon His Prophet Muhammad.

Although the second usage of the word you mentioned is figurative, still it is better to avoid it.

Allah knows best.


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Q:

Is it shirk to watch showsand read stories showing bowing and prostration?

Aslamulakium. I wanted to ask if it is shirk to read stories or watch shows that show people bowing or postrating to each other in a form of greeting or apology. I sometimes read stories which take place in cultures that have people bowing and portraying towards each other as an greeting or apology. I an knowledgable enough to know that this is shirk for a Muslim to do so I am not influenced by it at all. I even say it is wrong out loud. I was reading a story that has a boy forced to apologise to another boy by going in the ground infromt of him by a bully. Like a prostrsting pose. But it was just him being forced to apologise not worship. I would always skip that chapter of the story. But now I am worried I may have committed shirk. I do not apporve of the actions at all. I wanted to ask if it is permissible for me to read stories like this as I am knowledgable and mature enough to know it is not right. I always skip that chapter of the story. And again I did not approve of it. But is it permissible for me to read such stories as long as I skip these parts and not let it influence me? Thank you.

A:

Wa alaykum assalam wa rahmatullah wa barakatuh.

In the Name of Allah, the All-Merciful, the Mercy-Giving.

All praise is due to Allah. Peace and blessings be upon His Prophet Muhammad.

In principle, it is permissible to read stories, if they are free from haram (prohibited) content, such as sexuality, immorality, or idolatry. So, it is the content that decides whether such reading is permissible or not.

Regarding your question about this specific kind of stories, if such bowing or prostrating is only practiced as an expression of greeting or apology, then you may skip such parts and continue reading as long as you are knowledgeable enough and on guard of your belief.

Still, a Muslim should not waste time. Time is life. Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) tells us that many people devaluate and depreciate the blessing of time. He said that there are two blessings which many people waste carelessly: Good health and free time [Al-Bukhari and Muslim]. He also exhorted us to “Take advantage of five conditions before other five conditions: your youth before your  old aged, your health before your sickness; your richness before your poverty, your free time before you become busy, and your lifetime before your death.” [Al-Bayhaqi]

So, you are better advised to spend your time in reading useful books and watching useful contents that increase your knowledge and strengthen your faith.

Allah knows best.


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Q:

Sir, I question is odd. I am extremely sorry for that. But a question suddenly popped into my mind that can a Muslim woman think of marrying our beloved prophet Muhammad s.a.w in the life hereafter?

A:

Wa alaykum assalam wa rahmatullah wa barakatuh.

In the Name of Allah, the All-Merciful, the Mercy-Giving.

All praise is due to Allah. Peace and blessings be upon His Prophet Muhammad.

Expressing one’s love to Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) is a sign of good faith, but still acts speak louder than words. Real love of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) should be expressed in earnest pursuit of his example.

To judge whether the supplication in question is valid or not we have to know that:

1- A married woman will be with her husband, or with her last one, if she married more than one, in the Paradise as stated in a prophetic hadith that reads, “If a woman’s husband dies and she gets married after him, she will be for her last husband [in the Paradise].” (Al-Tabarani) This means that a married woman may not utter this supplication as it is an impossible wish.

2- If a woman is not married and refrains from getting married hoping for her prayer to be the Prophet’s wife to be answered in the Hereafter, such refrainment is against the prophetic guidance for Muslims to get married. How then can she hope to be the prophet’s wife while she contravenes his Sunnah?

In addition, such supplication was not reported from any of the Prophet’s female Companions, though they were better and cherished more love to the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) than next generations.

Therefore, Muslim women are discouraged to uttering such supplication. A better supplication, however, is to pray to Allah to be in the company of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) in the Paradise. Of course, for this prayer to be answered, one needs to do such righteous deeds that may allow him/her to gain this honor.

Allah knows best.


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Q:

Assalamu alaikum. Most of the people use the explanation of surah baqarah verse 222 in sunnan  Abu dawud kitab Al nikkah chapter 712 to argue that men can have sex with women whenever and however he wants. Even without her permission.

Can you please give me the right explanation of this verse?

A:

Wa alaykum assalam wa rahmatullah wa barakatuh.

In the Name of Allah, the All-Merciful, the Mercy-Giving.

All praise is due to Allah. Peace and blessings be upon His Prophet Muhammad.

I think you mean verse number 2:223, not 2:222, which reads what means “Your [lawful] women are a tillage for you. So come to your tillage as you will.  Yet advance for your souls. And fear Allah! And know that you will, most surely, meet Him. So give glad tidings to the believers.” (Al-Baqarah 2:223)

I also suppose that the hadith you refer to is the one that states, “If a man calls his wife to his bed and she refuses and he thus spends the night angry with her, the angels will keep cursing her till the morning.” (Abu Dawud)

There is an agreement among Muslim scholars that a wife has to obey her husband when he calls her to bed and that if she disobeys, she becomes sinful unless she has a legitimate reason, such as being sick or busy with fulfilling another Shariah obligation.

Satisfying sexual desire is one of the principal purposes of marriage and is a mutual right for both spouses. Of course, this should be done on mutual consent between spouses; but if, in some instances, one of them is not willing to engage in the sexual relation while the other is in need of it, the former should help the latter satisfying such a desire as far as possible for fear of the consequences of sexual frustration.

For more about misconceptions regarding women issues in Islam, please check here:

Women Inferior or Hadiths Misinterpreted? (Fatwa Session)

Allah knows best.


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Q:

Assalamu Alaikum!

I’m from Nigeria and our government had just permitted mosques to open for congregational prayers but I’m scared to go to the mosques for fear of contracting the coronavirus. My fear is because in Nigeria majority of people don’t believe that it exists so they’re not taking the necessary precautions, they’re being very careless about the whole situation. Also, the health authorities are not doing enough to tackle the corona crisis. Is it permissible for me to continue to pray at home for the sake of my health and that of my family?

A:

Wa alaykum assalam wa rahmatullah wa barakatuh.

In the Name of Allah, the All-Merciful, the Mercy-Giving.

All praise is due to Allah. Peace and blessings be upon His Prophet Muhammad.

Covid-19 pandemic has gained almost an agreement among scholars for being an excuse for quitting congregational prayers, including Friday Prayer, where there is fear of contracting the disease. Fear must be assessed objectively without being over- or underestimated.

Taking the circumstances you mentioned into consideration, you might have an excuse not to attend congregational prayers. Still, it is better if you can at least attend Friday Prayer, after taking all necessary precautions.

Allah knows best.


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Q:

Thank you for this chance, i hope Allah show me the right way through this question and the Scholars who will answer this.

I had a secret habbit (I have did mastrubation) and I decide to stop commit to it last month. There was a man who came to approach me that he wanted me in his life. And I told him about my secret habit and he thinks i lose my virginity (which I’m not sure that is true)

How is it in Islam, should I tell about this to next person that I approach with? Or I should just keep it because it was Aib (a really bad secret) and let Allah be The One who know about it.

Please, help me about this. I’m trying to start the new chapter of my life from the haram habit. Pray for me. Thank you very much in advance. I hope the answers will be based on the Quran and Hadith

A:

Wa alaykum assalam wa rahmatullah wa barakatuh.

In the Name of Allah, the All-Merciful, the Mercy-Giving.

All praise is due to Allah. Peace and blessings be upon His Prophet Muhammad.

Masturbation is prohibited as inferred from the Quranic verses that read, “The ones, moreover, who are ever vigilant as to [the chastity of] their secret parts- except [in associating] with their wives, or [with] whomever their hands may rightfully possess, for, then, they are not blameworthy; but whoever seeks [ a way]  beyond this, then it is they who are the transgressors.” [23:5-7]

Therefore, sister, you need to repent sincerely to Allah and have strong resolve not to do this again. Part of this repentance is to quit all the practices that may stimulate your desire, such as gazing at members of the opposite sex, watching explicit contents, etc.

You need also to keep your time busy with useful activities, because leisure time is a big opportunity for the Satan to incite you for evil acts. Find religious friends, stay away from the internet as far as possible, try to memorize the Quran, practice fasting to break this appetite, try to serve your community through philanthropic activities, etc.

These are just examples of things that fill your time and keep you away from thinking about sexuality. Allah (Exalted is He) said, “As to those who do not find [means] for marriage, let them keep themselves [pure and] chaste, until Allah enriches them from His bounty.” [24:33]

A Muslim has also to conceal his/her evil affairs. The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) is reported to have said, “Avoid such filthy sins that Allah has forbidden. Still whoever commits any of these let him maintain the concealment bestowed by Allah upon him [by not disclosing one’s evil affairs] and let him repent to Allah…” [Al-Bayhaqi]

So, keep this secret to yourself and just repent sincerely to Allah. Sincere repentance renders one as sinless as he was when first born. Pray to Allah to keep you steadfast on repentance and righteousness and to grant you a pious husband to establish a true Muslim family that seeks the pleasure of Allah.

Allah knows best.


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Q:

Salaam before I had not known that wearing silk for men was a sin and as narrated by the Prophet pbuh the man who wears it in this life will not wear it in the afterlife. Does this mean I will not wear it in jannah.

Jazakallah

A:

Wa alaykum assalam wa rahmatullah wa barakatuh.

In the Name of Allah, the All-Merciful, the Mercy-Giving.

All praise is due to Allah. Peace and blessings be upon His Prophet Muhammad.

If you really did not know that wearing silk is haram (prohibited) for Muslim men, then your ignorance of the Shari`ah ruling in this case is a valid excuse that relieves you from liability both in this world and in the Hereafter.

May Allah grant us useful knowledge.   

Allah knows best.


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Q:

I have a question. If  an unmarried a woman dies while her some fasting or zakat are due, is it enough for her brother or his wife or his children or other person outside family to make up fasting or pay remaining zakat as there are no heir or  guardians of her are not here? 

A:

In the Name of Allah, the All-Merciful, the Mercy-Giving.

All praise is due to Allah. Peace and blessings be upon His Prophet Muhammad.

Regarding Zakah, if it had become due on this woman before her death, then the due amount of Zakah has to be paid out of her inheritance. So, it is the duty of her heirs to give it out.

Regarding fasting, if she had no time to make up the obligatory days she missed (she kept sick till she died, for example), then she has become free from liability and there is no need to make these days up.

However, if she had time to make them up but she did not, then her relatives may make them up instead. The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) said, “Whoever dies with [days of] fasting due on him his wali (heir/relative) may make them up instead.” (Al-Bukhari and Muslim)

If her relatives do not want to make them up, they may give food to an indigent person for each day instead out of this woman’s inheritance. The relatives may also authorize a non-relative to do either of these two options.

According to one juristic opinion, a non-relative may do either of the two options even without authorization from the relatives. This opinion quotes as a supportive evidence the case of the woman who came to the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) asking him if she could make up fasting on behalf of her dead mother. The Messenger of Allah asked, “If she were in debt, would you pay it out on her behalf?” She said, “Yes.” He said, “The debt owed to Allah is worthier to be paid.” (Muslim)

The proponents of this opinion argue that the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) considered fasting as a kind of debt and rules dictate that a debt might be paid by anybody.

Allah knows best.


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Q:

Salam,

If somebody does something and thinks it is shirk or kufr while they are doing it, but it isn’t actually shirk/kufr, do they still get the sin of shirk/kufr?

If they do commit an act of shirk/kufr, is every action they do after that an act of shirk/kufr because they aren’t repenting?

A:

Wa alaykum assalam wa rahmatullah wa barakatuh.

In the Name of Allah, the All-Merciful, the Mercy-Giving.

All praise is due to Allah. Peace and blessings be upon His Prophet Muhammad.

In principle, a Muslim has to cherish total submission to and fear of Allah (Exalted is He). If a Muslim is in doubt about a specific act, whether it is a sin or not or whether it amounts to shirk or not, he/she has to ask the people of knowledge lest that act might incur the wrath of Allah.

Intention of the doer and the type of act are essential to answer this question. We need to know what this brother’s intention was when he did that act. We need also to know the act in question to determine whether it amounts to shirk or not. Resolved intention to commit apostasy, for example, is enough to send one out of the fold of Islam.

Allah knows best.


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Q:

Asalamualaikum.I got married recently, I used a condom(condom was successfully) but still i used an emergency contraception pill(plan b) in combination (to be sure) to prevent pregnancy. Some scholars say it is allowed to use emergency contraceptive some say it's not.I am getting very anxious whether i have committed an abortion or murder.I cant even sleep well thinking about it.What should I do?moreover i did not know how the emergency contraceptive pill works at that time. Scientists suggest it prevents ovulation but some people and scholars say it may inhibit ovulation. So am i liable to any sin here.please anwer it's affecting my mental health.is it as serious as abortion or murder?

A:

Wa alaykum assalam wa rahmatullah wa barakatuh.

In the Name of Allah, the All-Merciful, the Mercy-Giving.

All praise is due to Allah. Peace and blessings be upon His Prophet Muhammad.

Basically, Muslims have been exhorted to have many children to increase the number of Muslims, which adds quantitative value and power to the ummah. The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) said, “I shall boast of your great numbers before other nations.” (Abu Dawud)

But spouses may need, for one reason or another, to avoid impregnation. `Azl (coitus interruptus) is one of the old methods in this regard. It was even a practiced by some of the Companions of Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) during his lifetime and with his approval, as reported in Sahih Muslim on the authority of Jabir ibn Abdullah.

Therefore, according to the majority of Muslim jurists, it is permissible to practice `azl, though it is still undesirable as Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) described it in another narration as “a hidden way of burying a child alive.” (Muslim)

In principle, modern contraceptives, as ways of birth control, have the same ruling of `azl but with the following conditions:

1- There should be a legitimate reason to use them. It is not permissible to use contraceptives for fear of poverty, for example.

2- Contraception has to be with mutual consent of both spouses; otherwise, it is not permissible.

3- No harmful effects should be incurred as a result of using such contraceptives. It is not permissible to use any contraceptive that has harmful side effects or causes barrenness.

Allah knows best.